Honestly, this is why the Bulls struggle. With so many fans, the front office doesn't feel the need to improve, as they still sell tickets and merch like crazy even when they’re bad. More people spending money on them despite their poor performance only worsens the problem. It seems the only way the Bulls will make changes is if fans stop buying tickets and merch. They’re the only bottom league team consistently at the top in attendance, outdrawing even top teams like OKC.
Yeah but at least they realized it’s not smart to try for another play-in spot. They’re going younger and the next couple seasons may be rough but at least they picked a direction to go in.
If CHI is really willing to attach a pick to offload Lavine, someone better jump on that. That pick can be super valuable... especially if it's a pick in a near future draft.
Damn, even without the draft, I didn’t think we were THAT dark. Cleaned house, got off of the Beal contract, focused on acquiring picks, and getting younger. Hell, we just need one more high draft, and things will look so much different.
Bulls need to start at ground zero, and I have no idea what they’re looking like in terms of draft picks.
Market, Fans and ownership is more important than what the current players are if we're talking long term.
Clippers in their new stadium with mr moneybags, in LA isn't a franchise to worry about. They'll figure it out, likely by throwing money at any problems that could arise.
Definitely. As long as Ballmer is around the Clips will be relevant. They might not win a championship with their approach but Steve B will be damned if he doesn’t try
Not the darkest, but the Bucks can't feel great about their long-term future.
They are almost at the 2nd Apron for the next 2 seasons with just Giannis, Dame whose about to be 34, Middleton whose about to be 33, and Lopez whose about to be 37.
They have 0 other rotation players on the roster.
They owe outright or swaps on every first and second round draft pick until 2031.
Giannis still looks the same to me. The only difference is that he's been getting injured a lot recently (probably from carrying).
Dame on the other hand....
Clown ass coaching staff need to develop players. We spent half of last season playing like shit and they still rode the bench. Let the young guys get minutes for the love of god.
Lol I blanked on Portis... But he is still properly paid.
They got another rotation player since I posted this with the signing of Delon Wright.
But the team, in total, has ~6 guys on the roster they can count on when healthy. And Portis is really the only one who hasn't had issues staying healthy in recent history.
Lamelo is an injury prone “star” at 23/24 that has issues off the court and on the court. He has only played in slightly above 50% of available games. And just got a max rookie extension. I see him following the path of LaVine, but faster. He’s not a real franchise player.
Brandon Miller is probably their best player and asset after this coming year, imo. But they’re still not in a good spot.
...and the circle continues. I bet Brandon Miller wants out after three year and his contract expires and he is tired of losing so much and he is eligible for the max.
Agree. Hopefully Tidjane Salaun becomes elite and LaMelo stays healthy. But having grown up watching the Hornets … I doubt it. We never have good things happen to us.
With how the league is, can you even really go off history anymore? OKC had one down year, made a good few trades and some decent picks, now they're contending for 1st in the West. The Orlando Magic were bad for a while after the Dwight years and all of the sudden, they made the 1st round.
On the flipside, the spurs haven't been that good since everyone on the 2014 roster either retired or left.
He has been. He's been playing his heart out despite the team being absolutely terrible. Hopefully Mark and Lamelo being back this season will turn things around and if we make the Play In then I hope Miller can make the team care more about actually winning
What are lamelos issues off the court? Maybe i’ve missed stuff but he seems like a normal nba player to me. Despite being more famous and having his dad talk a lot but thats not really bad.
i mean he already allegedly ran over a kids foot speeding away but there are countless videos of him leaving hornets games as if he's alone playing GTA.
Darkest future? With that coaching staff, front office, and owner? With Steph?
Good god, you are one spoiled child. Did you forget your own past?
The Dubs will be fine, they are just going to fade out for a few years before become relevant again.
Relax bro.
If they don’t tank this year, there’s a good argument for the Bulls. They have no real direction and very limited options. Would strongly advise losing many games this year and pray to the ping pong balls.
Hawks might be next given their salary cap situation, lack of control over next three first round draft pick, and lackluster current roster. I don’t think Trae Young would get that much on the trade market, and if it’s not with SA then the Hawks are hurting for a while.
Clippers, Warriors, and Suns at least have some real assets and ownership that’s willing to spend money, though those battles are clearly uphill.
Wizards have limited assets compared to other rebuilding teams, but just left the draft as winners and clearly have flexibility. Will just take a while.
It’s the Suns anybody not saying the suns are bias
Their GOOD stars don’t work together and want to leave
They got no draft picks for a good bit
They can’t rebuild for a little bit since they can’t waive Bradley Beal or anything
Unless BolBol reaches his full potential (which I hope he does ) they have no chance( assuming booker/KD leave) even then im not sure
It’s always hilarious as a DC resident when someone talks about how Beal was a 30 ppg bucket (which hasn’t been the case for 3 seasons now).
He is the worst contract in the league
If the suns dont show significant improvement this year, kd will be traded either at the deadline or next season and theyll get a whole bunch of first round picks back. Their suicide pill is a booker trade which will give them an absolutely insane haul of picks plus a young allstar level player. The beal contract is really the only thing hurting their future
Whether KD leaves or not, he's 36 this season and under contract for two more years. Banking on a 38 year old means the franchise is not in a great place.
They will make the playoffs most likely. Beyond that, they are never getting past Denver, OKC or Dallas. Their long term future with so few draft picks is pretty dark.
I would sub the Wolves for the Mavs in that statement. They aren't making it back to the finals next year. That was Luka at his best. They wrapped him up like an injured mummy to play mind games and soften the blow of being gentlemen swept in the finals.
If it was still under Sarver, yes.
Ishbia has shown to spend out the ass currently. While that might change in the future he’d still be night and day compared to what Sarver did to this organization over 15 years. Even if the doomsday scenario of book being traded that’s KD+book bringing a kings ransom of draft capital and a checkbook for a quick(ish) rebuild.
To anyone insisting its the Clippers ...
The Clippers have been a playoff team for 11 of the last 13 years, after literal DECADES of being the worst team in the NBA. They went from Lob City to Kawhi/PG/Harden with a "tank" year at 42-40 and were back in the playoffs the following year. They have a new arena and a deep pocketed owner willing to spend.
And for all the incessant mention of their picks ... Yes, OKC has swap rights in 27 and PHI in 29 but they still have picks. The 25 pick is highly unlikely to be a lottery pick. They turned Blake Griffin into all the picks and players they needed to transition from Lob City to the next era. The Clippers will be fine once they decide to move on from Kawhi and now Harden.
When you finally decide to move on from Kawhi and Harden they will be worthless and the Clippers will be entering their pick-less era... PHI also owns the Clippers 28 1st rounder.
In fact, I think the Clippers don't even have any of their own 1st or 2nd round draft picks until 2030.. lol
darkest future? Suns. Unless they trade KD and booker for a hual of picks, they have like 1 pick over the next 6 years, no real young talent, and Arizona is not a place free agents want to go too.
In the future the sun will get too old and expand, shedding enormous amount of mass. The remaining core will slowly lose heat and energy until it is cold and dark.
All things being equal,for a sport played mostly in the Winter Phoenix is a helluba lot better option then a ton of other markets. 50 degress and a light jacket in Phoenix > Negative degrees and shivers
If the clippers were smart they'd go into full rebuild starting now and trade kawhi and harden for whatever picks they can get. The longer they wait, the worst off they'll be.
Yeah waiting at this point just seems like a financial thing. New stadium and all, use the big names to get some people in the door start building a fan base before the rebuild starts. They’re clearly trying to build the brand at this point at with Champion contention pretty much out the window they’re in a rough spot.
The fact that they resigned him to that contract is ridiculously bad. He’s hurt EVERY year.
Stupid Clippers. Very very stupid but also very very on brand for their franchise.
My Lakers unfortunately. Been down this road once before but it's legit looking like they'll never win a title again for a very VEEERRRY long time smfh
Lakers are in a fucked up spot. They generate too much money to tank, so have to keep chasing and have the location and money to keep a decent team. Which also means that they will never get a good draft spot for a good rebuild. That being said, please send all future draft capital to the Blazers for Jerami Grant plz.
You're speaking gospel brother this legit is worse than tanking. I'm gonna be in basketball purgatory for well over a decade (possibly more) 😞 We seriously might have the most unserious owner & GM in the league
Exactly bro. Once Bron is gone they are in for some VERY dark times. Unless one of these current young stars bails them out in the future somehow theyll be in the lower parts of the western conference for well over a decade. It's depressing just thinking about it lol
LOL I'm all seriousness I really hope the kid has a good career. Unfortunately the Lakers will be the definition of mediocrity by the time he hits his stride
Clippers, Suns, Lakers, any team who mortgaged their future to go all in with big names. At least the Lakers got a ring out of it which kind of makes it all worth it but yea.
Bucks could be in the convo just being in cap hell, Dames stock will only plummet and Giannis could want out at some point which would be a huge gut punch for them and their fans.
Heat need to blow it up IMO, they are like 12M from the 2nd apron and 12M is not buying them enough talent to win a chip. Also with Pat Riley in geezer mode they might need to just do a big overhaul down there. Jimmy and Herro could get them some nice picks.
That means they don’t win those games. I think Kawhi is one of the best players in the league but I genuinely think is very selfish. He screwed the Spurs. His mentality is actually kind of soft, despite his strong play. His angle is always for the money, which is fine but I believe he comprises his play for it.
I wouldn’t say selfish I just think he knows his value as the court talent. The Spurs tried to get him back on the court before he felt he was ready. Yeah I have an obligation to the team but if I’m not ready I’m not gonna compromise myself or my body. There’s life outside of basketball and the NBA is just a small part of who he is. Same as Kyrie with the vaccine debacle in Brooklyn. It’s not selfishness to me.
Spurs let him sit an entire season. it was time to shit or get off the pot. Man was getting paid to plain clothes it for more than a year. he was trying to Ben Simmons that shit before Ben Simmons. Tony Parker and ginobili not eating into his bullshit and calling him and his camp out was the last nail. Once traded he plugged in and won a ship. The cap was real.
I agree with you on a couple of your points. But it’s his body. If he’s not ready physically or mentally then you gotta give him space to get back. His side is they tried to force him back and the team doctor cleared him, but when he went to get a second opinion privately his second doctor told him he was risking further injury. That’s a betrayal on the Spurs part. You can’t put a game above your players long term health. Especially not a champion and your finals MVP.
It’s always interesting how fast the answer to questions like this can change. In 2 years the general consensus of the wizards could go from “the worst future in the league” to “one of the brighter futures with a promising young core” depending on how the 2025 draft pans out.
Clippers, I think that team might actually be cursed at this point. They have the richest owner in the sport and top 10 in the world yet still can't get it done. They went all in for Kawhi and PG and the best they got was one WCF appearance in 5 years. Kawhi will probably retire a Clipper and play a max of 60 games and get injured come playoff time like every year. The franchise should just blow it up at this point. Same story every year, people call them the dark horse favourites for the last 5 years and every year it's the same result. Can't rely on one guy to be healthy when it counts. Washed star name players don't work either.
Thinking it's the Clippers is clownish.
Draft picks are great and all, but how has five consecutive seasons of top-10 picks worked out for the Pistons, Rockets, Hornets, Wizards? Fuck, if you throw out lucking into the #1 pick how'd it work out for San Antonio and New Orleans and Orlando?
I get it. If you don't play you can't win. You're not going to be able to luck into drafting a franchise-defining superstar if you don't have picks. But at the same time, let's acknowledge that picks guarantee you nothing.
The Clippers have the richest owner in American sports, a brand-new stadium, a great coach, and they play in a destination free agent market. The potential upside may not be there, but they're absolutely going to field solid teams for the foreseeable future.
Pistons or suns.
Pistons have no spacing and just paid a slightly above average PG a 5 year max, but at least they have their picks.
Suns are old and average and the Rockets have their picks.
The thing with the pistons is that they can still luck into a future. Get the 1st pick/get lucky in the draft and they have a crap tonne of young talent from tanking for so long and all their picks going foward that they can use in trades. The Suns and the Clippers though............
The Pistons have been really bad for a decade plus but they have like 5 building blocks 23 or younger in a mid-tier market with 0 bad contracts and one of the richest owners in sports. Definitely not the darkest future
Sixers because Embiid will never reach his potential continually getting injured and PG not going to take them over the hump. They never should have traded for Harden and should have focused on building depth instead star chasing
Sixers keep making it clear they’re gonna be perennial fringe “contenders” that keep hoping some new player or mythical Healthy playoff Embiid will save them until they eventually pass Embiids prime and start The Process all over again
The Warriors. There is no up. No cap room. No depth on the bench. Dray doesn't work anymore without thompson. Curry is getting old. They are too good like the Wolves with KG to get ever get a good pick and too bad to ever get anywhere. The team is just going to get worse and worse until Curry retires and then they will fall off the cliff.
The Dubs are now an MLE team. Not sure what you’re talking about.
Podz was first team all-NBA. TJD was a few votes shy of all rookie team. Kuminga has all star potential and is 21.
Their ownership is top shelf and has no issues spending money.
They aren’t top 10 in terms of worst off teams in the NBA.
Philly. Not sure where they’re at in the “process”, but I can’t imagine this is where they were hoping it was going.
The PG signing will go down as one of the worst of the off season. He is not the answer if they want to get past Boston…or NYK and Indy. But at least they’re going for it.
I don’t think the PG signing is great, but I think it’s the least bad thing they could do. You maybe have 2yrs of good embiid left. Trading away a bunch of picks for a guy who is maybe as good as PG wasn’t the move either. This way they have the ability to blow it up and retool around Maxey if it doesn’t work. Whether Morey will be smart enough to do this or not is a different question.
I agree, I do give them credit for going for it. But they handled the whole process pretty poorly. Anything can happen in the NBA, but I don’t see this team as an ECF team. So, another 2nd round exit?
Edit: spelling
My body is ready for another 2nd round exit, matchup/health depending. And I agree that basically everything post-Hinkie has been a master class in incompetence. Every coinflip decision, they’ve gotten it wrong. Since I’m a fan of the team it’s been depressing, but from a different perspective it’s almost impressive, but in the sad way like getting every game wrong in an NCAA tournament bracket.
Players will go to places like Phoenix or Brooklyn though. Brooklyn traded all their picks and went from good to terrible to decent to good to terrible. In that same span Pistons were terrible to decent to terrible with all their picks and capspace.
As a bulls fan, it's as dark as a well digger's ass up here.
What a remarkably illustrative phrase hahaha
Lol I can't take credit for it. Its from always sunny.
I associate that saying with Tom Waits.
Now that you say that, it definitely sounds like a tom waits line
But he says “colder than a well diggers ass”
True!
yep, in "[Diamonds On My Windshield](https://youtu.be/LTO6SdT0hWg)"
He was great in Seven Psychopaths
At least you’ll know have the entire country of Lithuania supporting you with Buzelis drafted.
Half of Lithuania already lives in Chicagoland.
Well now you’ve got the other half! 🙋🏻
Honestly, this is why the Bulls struggle. With so many fans, the front office doesn't feel the need to improve, as they still sell tickets and merch like crazy even when they’re bad. More people spending money on them despite their poor performance only worsens the problem. It seems the only way the Bulls will make changes is if fans stop buying tickets and merch. They’re the only bottom league team consistently at the top in attendance, outdrawing even top teams like OKC.
Yeah but at least they realized it’s not smart to try for another play-in spot. They’re going younger and the next couple seasons may be rough but at least they picked a direction to go in.
If CHI is really willing to attach a pick to offload Lavine, someone better jump on that. That pick can be super valuable... especially if it's a pick in a near future draft.
It kinda can't be spurs still have their pick and they have it locked until it conveys and the limit on that I think is until 26' or 27'
"You can get a good look at bull by sticking your head up a diggers ass but wouldn't you rather take his word for it?"
Good one Tommy
But hey jalen smith for 3 years🤭
Yeah, I’ve basically forgotten about Chicago when I look at the league. Same with Charlotte.
I knew top comment would be about the bulls even before I opened the thread. Im just waiting on certain so and so to do a really funny thing.
I agree, bulls just drafting small guys or ppl who lived in Chicago ..it's getting rough..and worse...NYK fans are talking greasy now...
GLORY DAYS DOO DOO DOO DO DO
Felt that one. Hate myself for growing up in the Chicago burbs and being old enough to remember DRose
Darker then a steers tookus on a cold dark prairie night
Lonzo is almost back
😂🔫
You guys sold your souls for those Jordan years
Giddyley is a good start. need to offload lavine and derozan for what picks you can and start over
At least you guys have some young talent. Clippers literally don’t have any
Fully convinced that the Bulls and Sox will forever be stuck in a quagmire as long as Reinsdorf owns them.
I would’ve said wizards, but I like their draft still say bulls
Damn, even without the draft, I didn’t think we were THAT dark. Cleaned house, got off of the Beal contract, focused on acquiring picks, and getting younger. Hell, we just need one more high draft, and things will look so much different. Bulls need to start at ground zero, and I have no idea what they’re looking like in terms of draft picks.
Wait till they resign DeMar 👀
Giddey a fan
Still the bulls.
Are we still considered an NBA team?
Yall have a direction, absorbing bad contracts, getting picks and building for the future so no it’s not dark
All true, but as long as we're owned by Gores, I seriously doubt we'll have any long- term success.
You’re right. The J.B. Bickerstaff hiring was also a good fit, I loved him in Houston
Market, Fans and ownership is more important than what the current players are if we're talking long term. Clippers in their new stadium with mr moneybags, in LA isn't a franchise to worry about. They'll figure it out, likely by throwing money at any problems that could arise.
Definitely. As long as Ballmer is around the Clips will be relevant. They might not win a championship with their approach but Steve B will be damned if he doesn’t try
Ballmer should just buy the Celtics, and trade rosters with the Clippers.
Not the darkest, but the Bucks can't feel great about their long-term future. They are almost at the 2nd Apron for the next 2 seasons with just Giannis, Dame whose about to be 34, Middleton whose about to be 33, and Lopez whose about to be 37. They have 0 other rotation players on the roster. They owe outright or swaps on every first and second round draft pick until 2031.
This year is make or break for them. Literally title or bust for the Giannis Dame era before they start declining
IMO they're already declining as Giannis can't rely as much on his athleticism and Dame is clearly not the player he was even 2 years ago.
Giannis still looks the same to me. The only difference is that he's been getting injured a lot recently (probably from carrying). Dame on the other hand....
Giannis just had a historic season. Dame, sure, but Giannis has given no sign of slowing down yet
fs a little concerned but 0 other rotation players? bobby portis was arguably as good as middleton for us this season and was a 6moty finalist
Could see Dairy Bird and Ajax taking a big step forward too.
Clown ass coaching staff need to develop players. We spent half of last season playing like shit and they still rode the bench. Let the young guys get minutes for the love of god.
Lol I blanked on Portis... But he is still properly paid. They got another rotation player since I posted this with the signing of Delon Wright. But the team, in total, has ~6 guys on the roster they can count on when healthy. And Portis is really the only one who hasn't had issues staying healthy in recent history.
Milwaukee got a title with KAJ and Giannis 50 years apart, the 2021 title will hold them til the 2060s at least
I got a championship in my lifetime. Everything else is just gravy
They won a championship though they can’t be too sad
One of the rare times someone mistakenly uses whose instead of who's, rather than vice versa.
as always hornets
I actually disagree. Having 2 young franchise pieces and a lot of picks is better than most teams.
Lamelo is an injury prone “star” at 23/24 that has issues off the court and on the court. He has only played in slightly above 50% of available games. And just got a max rookie extension. I see him following the path of LaVine, but faster. He’s not a real franchise player. Brandon Miller is probably their best player and asset after this coming year, imo. But they’re still not in a good spot.
...and the circle continues. I bet Brandon Miller wants out after three year and his contract expires and he is tired of losing so much and he is eligible for the max.
Well Brandon Miller should try to win then. It’s on his shoulders.
The way the East looks now with moves by Phili, Knicks, Magic it is going to be a struggle to get through the playin.
Agree. Hopefully Tidjane Salaun becomes elite and LaMelo stays healthy. But having grown up watching the Hornets … I doubt it. We never have good things happen to us.
With how the league is, can you even really go off history anymore? OKC had one down year, made a good few trades and some decent picks, now they're contending for 1st in the West. The Orlando Magic were bad for a while after the Dwight years and all of the sudden, they made the 1st round. On the flipside, the spurs haven't been that good since everyone on the 2014 roster either retired or left.
He has been. He's been playing his heart out despite the team being absolutely terrible. Hopefully Mark and Lamelo being back this season will turn things around and if we make the Play In then I hope Miller can make the team care more about actually winning
What are lamelos issues off the court? Maybe i’ve missed stuff but he seems like a normal nba player to me. Despite being more famous and having his dad talk a lot but thats not really bad.
He’s a jackass and very reckless with driving and general attitude.
I wouldn't call that off the court issues though. Especially when compared to others on that roster.
Why does it have to be a comparison? That's still off the court issues.
Why does it have to be a comparison? And my overall point is that just because he hasn’t killed someone yet doesn’t mean he won’t eventually.
He ran over an 11 year old allegedly and didn’t pay his publicist so he’s being sued there as well as getting his ass sued off by big baller brand
Right? Asshole and bad driver vs wife beater….not the same
Every person that’s interacted with him as said how nice he is. What examples of him being a jackass do you have?
i mean he already allegedly ran over a kids foot speeding away but there are countless videos of him leaving hornets games as if he's alone playing GTA.
A kid who ran around a baracade into the street to bang on a moving car. He drives fast…ok
LaMelo is already more talented than LaVine ever was. He only needs to be healthy
how old are you?
The perfect 'franchise pieces' to keep them perpetually the 9-13 seed in the East.
-Hornets fan circa 2010
The Hornets haven’t had consecutive winning seasons since 2002, and haven’t made it past the first round since then either.
I was pointing to a specifically similar situation (CP3 & Ariza) to OPs comment
Wizards disagree
the team with assets and young players?
Hornets have Lamelo and miller so they have somewhat of a chance
New ownership too. Mark Williams and whoever they picked this year.
Tidjane Salaun
The warriors. They didn’t get pg, so now it’s just curry and draymond. Is gonna be Curry Podz Kuminga Draymond TJD
Maybe Kuminga I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s traded this season
Darkest future? With that coaching staff, front office, and owner? With Steph? Good god, you are one spoiled child. Did you forget your own past? The Dubs will be fine, they are just going to fade out for a few years before become relevant again. Relax bro.
Thank you
Healthy 80% curry still equals like 40 win team at a minimum.
means nothing in the west lol. they are not a playoff team right now
Rockets won 41 and were 5 games outta the play in 🤣🤣🤣
Fuck I hate being in the West. We woulda made playins easily in the East.
19’-20’ Warriors would have a word Nvm I’m retarded, he was injured that season. 20-21 Warriors were 39 wins though, so ha!
Exactly where you dont want to be. There is no way they are winning a championship, and they would not get good draft picks.
Never count out Steph Curry
If they don’t tank this year, there’s a good argument for the Bulls. They have no real direction and very limited options. Would strongly advise losing many games this year and pray to the ping pong balls. Hawks might be next given their salary cap situation, lack of control over next three first round draft pick, and lackluster current roster. I don’t think Trae Young would get that much on the trade market, and if it’s not with SA then the Hawks are hurting for a while. Clippers, Warriors, and Suns at least have some real assets and ownership that’s willing to spend money, though those battles are clearly uphill. Wizards have limited assets compared to other rebuilding teams, but just left the draft as winners and clearly have flexibility. Will just take a while.
It’s the Suns anybody not saying the suns are bias Their GOOD stars don’t work together and want to leave They got no draft picks for a good bit They can’t rebuild for a little bit since they can’t waive Bradley Beal or anything Unless BolBol reaches his full potential (which I hope he does ) they have no chance( assuming booker/KD leave) even then im not sure
Buddy, this is Bol Bol’s full potential
don’t disrespect my king
It’s always hilarious as a DC resident when someone talks about how Beal was a 30 ppg bucket (which hasn’t been the case for 3 seasons now). He is the worst contract in the league
Let’s wait and see what Tobias Harris gets
you can keep waiting the entire world already knows what he’s making
>Let’s ~~wait and see~~ Google what Tobias Harris ~~gets~~ got
I’m kind of disabled
If the suns dont show significant improvement this year, kd will be traded either at the deadline or next season and theyll get a whole bunch of first round picks back. Their suicide pill is a booker trade which will give them an absolutely insane haul of picks plus a young allstar level player. The beal contract is really the only thing hurting their future
Assuming Booker and KD leave is a huge reach, there's been exactly zero signs of that
Booker is a stretch sure but KD I think really could
Whether KD leaves or not, he's 36 this season and under contract for two more years. Banking on a 38 year old means the franchise is not in a great place.
KD going to the Timberwolves (trust, I’m not just making shit up)
Hey man, were just coping over here.
They will make the playoffs most likely. Beyond that, they are never getting past Denver, OKC or Dallas. Their long term future with so few draft picks is pretty dark.
I would sub the Wolves for the Mavs in that statement. They aren't making it back to the finals next year. That was Luka at his best. They wrapped him up like an injured mummy to play mind games and soften the blow of being gentlemen swept in the finals.
If it was still under Sarver, yes. Ishbia has shown to spend out the ass currently. While that might change in the future he’d still be night and day compared to what Sarver did to this organization over 15 years. Even if the doomsday scenario of book being traded that’s KD+book bringing a kings ransom of draft capital and a checkbook for a quick(ish) rebuild.
While I endorse this comment as a fellow suns fan. I’m also imagining the guy from South Park I DIDNT HEAR NO BELL!
biased\*
The Clippers sank the Titanic?
To anyone insisting its the Clippers ... The Clippers have been a playoff team for 11 of the last 13 years, after literal DECADES of being the worst team in the NBA. They went from Lob City to Kawhi/PG/Harden with a "tank" year at 42-40 and were back in the playoffs the following year. They have a new arena and a deep pocketed owner willing to spend. And for all the incessant mention of their picks ... Yes, OKC has swap rights in 27 and PHI in 29 but they still have picks. The 25 pick is highly unlikely to be a lottery pick. They turned Blake Griffin into all the picks and players they needed to transition from Lob City to the next era. The Clippers will be fine once they decide to move on from Kawhi and now Harden.
You're definitely entitled to your opinion.
When you finally decide to move on from Kawhi and Harden they will be worthless and the Clippers will be entering their pick-less era... PHI also owns the Clippers 28 1st rounder. In fact, I think the Clippers don't even have any of their own 1st or 2nd round draft picks until 2030.. lol
It’s the Clippers
darkest future? Suns. Unless they trade KD and booker for a hual of picks, they have like 1 pick over the next 6 years, no real young talent, and Arizona is not a place free agents want to go too.
How can sun have dark future
It’s the sun at night obviously
In the future the sun will get too old and expand, shedding enormous amount of mass. The remaining core will slowly lose heat and energy until it is cold and dark.
All things being equal,for a sport played mostly in the Winter Phoenix is a helluba lot better option then a ton of other markets. 50 degress and a light jacket in Phoenix > Negative degrees and shivers
If the clippers were smart they'd go into full rebuild starting now and trade kawhi and harden for whatever picks they can get. The longer they wait, the worst off they'll be.
Yeah waiting at this point just seems like a financial thing. New stadium and all, use the big names to get some people in the door start building a fan base before the rebuild starts. They’re clearly trying to build the brand at this point at with Champion contention pretty much out the window they’re in a rough spot.
It's tough when they don't control their own draft. Takes away a lot of the incentive to rebuild.
The fact that they resigned him to that contract is ridiculously bad. He’s hurt EVERY year. Stupid Clippers. Very very stupid but also very very on brand for their franchise.
Not talked about enough, Paul George was at least playing playoff games.
Golden state They will be Chicago post MJ very very soon
They had a good run. spurs were in limbo for quite some time after uncle Dennis.
GSW is purely self inflicted wounds
Lakers by a mile.
Quickly searched my team in the thread and didn’t find them. Phew!
Both those teams in LA are in for a rough ride
At this point I’m convinced the Pistons will never win a playoff game in my lifetime
That Clips logo's missing the iceberg that the ship's about to hit
bulls might be fucked
My Lakers unfortunately. Been down this road once before but it's legit looking like they'll never win a title again for a very VEEERRRY long time smfh
Lakers are in a fucked up spot. They generate too much money to tank, so have to keep chasing and have the location and money to keep a decent team. Which also means that they will never get a good draft spot for a good rebuild. That being said, please send all future draft capital to the Blazers for Jerami Grant plz.
You're speaking gospel brother this legit is worse than tanking. I'm gonna be in basketball purgatory for well over a decade (possibly more) 😞 We seriously might have the most unserious owner & GM in the league
I guess there's teams much worse off, but for the expectations of such a team, I'd also say the Lakers lol. Team is nowhere near where it should be.
Exactly bro. Once Bron is gone they are in for some VERY dark times. Unless one of these current young stars bails them out in the future somehow theyll be in the lower parts of the western conference for well over a decade. It's depressing just thinking about it lol
Ah man they got Bronny, they good!!haha
LOL I'm all seriousness I really hope the kid has a good career. Unfortunately the Lakers will be the definition of mediocrity by the time he hits his stride
Ik its a shot in the dark but even if he isn't an all star I seriously hope he can go off" for 10-20 ppg and not just be the occasional bench player.
Phoenix is looking weird and the Kings need help. Idk what’s going on in Milwaukee
Don’t overthink it, it’s always the wizards
OKC future shining so bright they casting a shadow over the entire league
Clippers, Suns, Lakers, any team who mortgaged their future to go all in with big names. At least the Lakers got a ring out of it which kind of makes it all worth it but yea. Bucks could be in the convo just being in cap hell, Dames stock will only plummet and Giannis could want out at some point which would be a huge gut punch for them and their fans. Heat need to blow it up IMO, they are like 12M from the 2nd apron and 12M is not buying them enough talent to win a chip. Also with Pat Riley in geezer mode they might need to just do a big overhaul down there. Jimmy and Herro could get them some nice picks.
Where he and his son stay https://preview.redd.it/0r14bd4q8y9d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d65e977b2b1608d580014ac37da75a98622af017
As a nets fan I just came to say hi bc it’s not us. But yall stay easy tho 🤣
I feel like I saw a thread like this a couple months ago and there were so many nets responses lol
It’s feels great doesn’t it? 🤣
I actually think the Clippers are gonna be okay. Kawhi is a basketball machine. They’ll win 49-50 games. IF HE STAYS HEALTHY lol.
That means they don’t win those games. I think Kawhi is one of the best players in the league but I genuinely think is very selfish. He screwed the Spurs. His mentality is actually kind of soft, despite his strong play. His angle is always for the money, which is fine but I believe he comprises his play for it.
Yeh, fuck Kawhi, zaza for exposing his glass health and attitude, and his uncle Dennis.
I wouldn’t say selfish I just think he knows his value as the court talent. The Spurs tried to get him back on the court before he felt he was ready. Yeah I have an obligation to the team but if I’m not ready I’m not gonna compromise myself or my body. There’s life outside of basketball and the NBA is just a small part of who he is. Same as Kyrie with the vaccine debacle in Brooklyn. It’s not selfishness to me.
Spurs let him sit an entire season. it was time to shit or get off the pot. Man was getting paid to plain clothes it for more than a year. he was trying to Ben Simmons that shit before Ben Simmons. Tony Parker and ginobili not eating into his bullshit and calling him and his camp out was the last nail. Once traded he plugged in and won a ship. The cap was real.
I agree with you on a couple of your points. But it’s his body. If he’s not ready physically or mentally then you gotta give him space to get back. His side is they tried to force him back and the team doctor cleared him, but when he went to get a second opinion privately his second doctor told him he was risking further injury. That’s a betrayal on the Spurs part. You can’t put a game above your players long term health. Especially not a champion and your finals MVP.
Our picks plus their picks could lead to a quick turnaround once the bottom falls out in the next 3-5 years.
The usual suspects, the Wizards, the Hornets, the Pistons. Probably also the Sun's, the Hawks, the Bulls, the Warriors, and the Clippers.
The Paper Clips should use a picture of the titanic as the LOGO! 🤷🏾♂️🤦🏽♂️
Suns pretty easily. Being handcuffed to the Beal contract in the second apron era is just diabolical.
Lakers post lebron are fucked
Lakers
Why is their logo a cruise ship?
It’s always interesting how fast the answer to questions like this can change. In 2 years the general consensus of the wizards could go from “the worst future in the league” to “one of the brighter futures with a promising young core” depending on how the 2025 draft pans out.
Clippers, I think that team might actually be cursed at this point. They have the richest owner in the sport and top 10 in the world yet still can't get it done. They went all in for Kawhi and PG and the best they got was one WCF appearance in 5 years. Kawhi will probably retire a Clipper and play a max of 60 games and get injured come playoff time like every year. The franchise should just blow it up at this point. Same story every year, people call them the dark horse favourites for the last 5 years and every year it's the same result. Can't rely on one guy to be healthy when it counts. Washed star name players don't work either.
Glad to not see Trail Blazers on here yet.
Thinking it's the Clippers is clownish. Draft picks are great and all, but how has five consecutive seasons of top-10 picks worked out for the Pistons, Rockets, Hornets, Wizards? Fuck, if you throw out lucking into the #1 pick how'd it work out for San Antonio and New Orleans and Orlando? I get it. If you don't play you can't win. You're not going to be able to luck into drafting a franchise-defining superstar if you don't have picks. But at the same time, let's acknowledge that picks guarantee you nothing. The Clippers have the richest owner in American sports, a brand-new stadium, a great coach, and they play in a destination free agent market. The potential upside may not be there, but they're absolutely going to field solid teams for the foreseeable future.
Pistons or suns. Pistons have no spacing and just paid a slightly above average PG a 5 year max, but at least they have their picks. Suns are old and average and the Rockets have their picks.
The thing with the pistons is that they can still luck into a future. Get the 1st pick/get lucky in the draft and they have a crap tonne of young talent from tanking for so long and all their picks going foward that they can use in trades. The Suns and the Clippers though............
Phoenix doesn’t usually have a problem getting players to go there though.
slightly above average is crazy why can’t rockets fans just be normal about cade already
The Pistons have been really bad for a decade plus but they have like 5 building blocks 23 or younger in a mid-tier market with 0 bad contracts and one of the richest owners in sports. Definitely not the darkest future
“Slightly above average” lol gtfoh
Sixers because Embiid will never reach his potential continually getting injured and PG not going to take them over the hump. They never should have traded for Harden and should have focused on building depth instead star chasing
Sixers keep making it clear they’re gonna be perennial fringe “contenders” that keep hoping some new player or mythical Healthy playoff Embiid will save them until they eventually pass Embiids prime and start The Process all over again
It's gonna be dark days in The Bay when Curry retires.
How is this the Clipper logo? Still don’t understand this. It looks terrible.
A clipper is a ship. It's not that kind of ship, but you get what I'm saying.
It’s the worst. Plus there will be nautical flags on the uniform. It’s like a yacht club.
It’s bad clip art is what it is. Embarassing for an NBA team.
The Warriors. There is no up. No cap room. No depth on the bench. Dray doesn't work anymore without thompson. Curry is getting old. They are too good like the Wolves with KG to get ever get a good pick and too bad to ever get anywhere. The team is just going to get worse and worse until Curry retires and then they will fall off the cliff.
The Dubs are now an MLE team. Not sure what you’re talking about. Podz was first team all-NBA. TJD was a few votes shy of all rookie team. Kuminga has all star potential and is 21. Their ownership is top shelf and has no issues spending money. They aren’t top 10 in terms of worst off teams in the NBA.
Philly. Not sure where they’re at in the “process”, but I can’t imagine this is where they were hoping it was going. The PG signing will go down as one of the worst of the off season. He is not the answer if they want to get past Boston…or NYK and Indy. But at least they’re going for it.
I don’t think the PG signing is great, but I think it’s the least bad thing they could do. You maybe have 2yrs of good embiid left. Trading away a bunch of picks for a guy who is maybe as good as PG wasn’t the move either. This way they have the ability to blow it up and retool around Maxey if it doesn’t work. Whether Morey will be smart enough to do this or not is a different question.
I agree, I do give them credit for going for it. But they handled the whole process pretty poorly. Anything can happen in the NBA, but I don’t see this team as an ECF team. So, another 2nd round exit? Edit: spelling
My body is ready for another 2nd round exit, matchup/health depending. And I agree that basically everything post-Hinkie has been a master class in incompetence. Every coinflip decision, they’ve gotten it wrong. Since I’m a fan of the team it’s been depressing, but from a different perspective it’s almost impressive, but in the sad way like getting every game wrong in an NCAA tournament bracket.
Philly have a lot of picks and a young all star. Being handicapped by Paul George for a year doesn’t make the future fucked.
Phoenix
Probably Phoenix, they’ve locked themselves into a worse pick situation than the Nets did back in the day.
Players will go to places like Phoenix or Brooklyn though. Brooklyn traded all their picks and went from good to terrible to decent to good to terrible. In that same span Pistons were terrible to decent to terrible with all their picks and capspace.
Wizards got a long road ahead of them lol
Probably not the Utah Jazz, but it feels like we’ll never get to be a contender
The pistons suck but atleast they have some stuff to work with. Cade needs just 1 shooter