13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts

This week we will look at seven teams and try to determine what they need to do to meet this year’s expectations for this season.

NBA Team Expectations: Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics – The Celtics were built to win a title this year. Anything less and they would not meet expectations. Keep in mind Jaylen Brown‘s salary will increase when his new contract kicks in next year. Jayson Tatum‘s salary will also increase, if he re signs this summer, in two years. Boston will be way over the cap and pay a heavy tax as they would be in the dreaded second apron. Anything short of a title would probably mean Brown would be traded or Jrue Holiday would be re-signed and traded next year.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavaliers are probably the easiest to understand. There are two factors to look at. To meet expectations the Cavs need to at least get to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. If they flame out in the first round you can day good bye to JB Bickerstaff. More importantly if they don’t go to the conference finals they will probably be forced to trade Donovan Mitchell. I doubt he would want to return when his contract is up is they aren’t successful. Because of this the Cavs would trade him and try to get as many assets as possible.
3. Milwaukee Bucks – To meet expectations the Buck would need to at least get to the finals. The Bucks control only one pick in the next five years but they also have two pick swaps with the New Orleans Pelicans. They are an aging team that took a gamble on Damian Lillard and outside him and Giannis don’t have much to deal teams would want. If the Bucks don’t meet expectations you can bet there will be changes but it’s hard to see where.

NBA Team Expectations: Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – The Thunder are in an interesting position, they have money to spend and their team is young. To meet expectations the Thunder would need to get to the second round of the playoffs. The Thunder realize they are ahead of schedule on their building plan, their players are young and they have fifteen first round picks over the next five years so they are not in any rush.
2. Los Angeles Clippers – The Clippers are in a similar position to the Boston Celtics. To meet expectations they would need to win it all. Their big three of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are getting near the twilight of their great careers so you can’t expect them to improve in the future. Complicate this with the team moving into their own arena next year and George and Harden’s contracts could be up. Steve Ballmer, the Clippers owner, needs them to compete with the Lakers as LA’s big draw in his new arena. He also needs a title because if they fail again in the playoffs their credibility in LA would not be that strong.
3. New Orleans Pelicans – The Pelicans need to get out of the first round of the playoffs. This is a team that doesn’t like to go over the cap. They will have a decision on what to do with either Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson when their contracts expire. If they aren’t going far in the playoffs you can bet one goes. The other factor is Willie Green, their coach. If the Pelicans aren’t progressing he might be in trouble.
4. Phoenix Suns – With a new owner, Matt Ishbia, who has decided to go all in, the Suns are in an interesting position. To meet expectations the Suns need to at least go to the Conference Finals. Two of their three stars, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, are on the downside of great careers so it’s a rapidly closing window. It’s a this year and maybe next year situation.