Philly Front Office

When it comes to the 3 major sports (sorry hockey, I’m still learning), my favorite to watch is baseball, football, then forever in the distance, basketball. Just talking about front office transactions and planning though, give me basketball all day long. The NBA KNOWS drama. Maybe it’s the tight rules, max contracts, or even just the regular player movement itself that make it so intriguing, but I could write about NBA deals all day. Here is a look at where all the Eastern Conference teams stand going into the season and how they might interact with the trade market.

(ranking by Vegas o/u)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
   • Last Year: 64-18, lost to Pacers in 2nd Round
   • Darius Garland got hurt last year so they used that as an excuse to run it back this year. Considering so many teams in the East got worse in the offseason that’s not the worst idea. As much as I don’t believe in the Cavs at all because they are the Cavs, who is better than them on paper in the East?
   • Trade Possibilities: Because their roster is SUPER expensive and they only have a 2031 1st to trade straight up, making any deals is going to be very difficult. At least they have contracts of all shapes and sizes (for salary matching purposes) to move if the need arises
2. New York Knicks
   • Last Year: 51-31, lost to Pacers in Conference Finals
   • The big loss is Thibs…and they might be better for it. It’s been clear for a very long time that Tom Thibideau will get the absolutely most out of his players but run them into the ground in the process. Then come playoff time, they run out of gas. That was especially bad this past season when they ran into the Indiana Track Club in the playoffs. The Knicks will probably have a worse regular season record than last year, but will probably have a longer bench and fresher legs when they need it.
   • Trade Possibilities: The big one on everyone’s mind is Giannis. Any deal for him would probably need to include Karl Anthony Towns for tax and talent purposes, but they can make deals with OG Anunoby too. The problem is that they do not have much draft equity to get the Greek Freak, just three 1st round pick swaps. As much as Knicks fans would like to dream, other than possible minor moves, this is the team.
3. Orlando Magic
   • Last Year: 41-41, lost to Celtics in First Round
   • The Magic already made their big move when they traded for Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies. Everyone forgot how to shoot last year in Orlando, but Bane should make it easier for everyone. They are going to be a fun, gritty team this year that should challenge for the top spot in the east as long as they remember how to shoot.
   • Trade Possibilities: Despite sending out four 1sts in the Bane trade, Orlando can still shell out a 2026 1st and a 2032 1st if they are feeling really aggressive. The problem is that next year they are going to be VERY expensive when the Paolo Banchero extension kicks in. I can see that 2026 pick (which has swap rights attached) being used to move on from Jonathan Isaac or Wendall Carter if an upgrade presents itself.
4. Atlanta Hawks
   • Last Year: 40-42, lost Play-In
   • Kevin Lowe’s offseason darling is feeling itself after some good moves in the offseason and finally having enough wing talent to surround Trae Young. I’m a little skeptical of their ability to actually score, but in theory they are going to be a very fun team. The strange part is that they did not give Young a full boat max and did not reach an extension. This means that Young is likely on an expiring contract (player option) just like Kristaps. There’s no indication that they want to let him go though. Is this a Hawks power play to make Trae play how they want or is it inviting disaster?
   • Trade Possibilities: The Hawks have all their picks to trade, even if some have swap rights PLUS an extra pick from either New Orleans or Milwaukee this year. They could do some serious damage with that kind of arsenal. I would love it if they went after Anthony Davis but he probably isn’t moving, but they shouldn’t be counted out in the Giannis sweepstakes, simply because of all the ammo. Whatever they need, they can get if they are willing to throw in the $30m KP contract.
5. Detroit Pistons
   • Last Year: 44-38, lost to Knicks in First Round
   • The Pistons were fun last year and overachieved. I don’t know if they can recreate that this year, but they are loaded with upgrade possibilities. Tobias Harris makes $27m, Duncan Robinson makes $17m (for 3 years, woof), and Caris Lavert has $14m over 2 years. They’d be happy to part with any of them. Plus, they have Jaden Ivy and Ron Holland as possible trade chips. If they want anyone, they can probably
   • Trade Possibilities: As for picks, they have up to 4 1sts to use plus the salaries and prospects above. Who would they want to pair with Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson? My bet is they win the Lauri Markkanen sweepstakes. He would fit too well with those two and would be on the right timeline. Whether the Jazz prefer young talent, picks, or a mix of both, the Pistons can make that happen.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
   • Last Year: 24-58, drafted #3 overall
   • No one really knows what to make of the Sixers. My hope is that we have a Dodgers like season that hovers around “decent” until the playoffs when we are magically healthy for the first time. Health, development, and mediocrity is what I’m rooting for!
   • Trade Possibilities: I don’t think this team is in any position to “go for it” but we should still be aware of the assets. The 2026 pick is almost definitely gone unless we miss the playoffs and then get incredibly lucky. That leaves up to three 1sts ready to move including an unprotected Clippers pick and Clippers swap rights in 2029. It is much more lucky that the team just tries to move Kelly Oubre to get under the tax line though. The real question is if they would do this while the team is also competitive?
7. Milwaukee Bucks
   • Last Year: 48-34, lost to Pacers in First Round
   • They keep telling their friends that their relationship is fine but all their friends know that a divorce is only a matter of time. Giannis pulled the laughing touch the guy’s shoulder move at a party last week and everyone saw it. They’ve done everything they can to keep him happy (usually to their own detriment) but they don’t have any more moves.
   • Trade Possibilities: All they have right now is a 2032 1st and swap rights to their own pick in 2031. They can’t sell those (but they would have a ton of value). Instead, where should they sell Giannis to rebuild? My hope is San Antonio because that would be the craziest assemblage of talent/athleticism the league has ever seen. If Giannis goes, then things will get wild. Everyone else on the team is fair game at that point…except Kyle Kuzma. No one wants him.
8. Boston Celtics
   • Last Year: 61-21, lost to Knicks in Second Round
   • It didn’t really dawn on me just how much the Celtics punted this season. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss most of the season, they traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis while not resigning Al Horford. They still have Derrick White and Jaylen Brown to go with a ton of shooters in Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser, but size and defense are not going to be replaced very well. The Celtics play the Sixers on opening night and I really need Embiid to take advantage of this.
   • Trade Possibilities: They have two 1st round picks to trade and the Simons contract of $27.5m. Are they more likely to flip a one dimensional player or extend him? He’s getting traded. Look for them to try to pry away a lesser 2-way threat from another team to be their next Derrick White.
9. Toronto Raptors
   • Last Year: 30-52, drafted #9 overall
   • What in God’s name is this team? No one wanted Brandon Ingram, so they traded for him and gave him a fat contract extension. They also have Scottie Barnes who basically plays the same position. Then there’s RJ Barrett who is a poor man’s version of both of them. They have large negative value contracts all over the roster. They are a total nonfactor in terms of contention.
   • Trade Possibilities: The one thing going for the league is that the guy who built this abomination is no longer with the team. The Raptors have all of their draft picks, so that means 4 can possible go out along with all the swap rights. They also have those contracts for salary matching purposes. They could be another aggressive suitor for Giannis, but could try for Trae Young. They will likely strike out for both. I have no faith in this team doing anything that will be a net positive.
10. Miami Heat
    • Last Year: 37-45, lost to Cavaliers in First Round
    • The Miami Heat are best with a star and a foundation to maximize that star. Unfortunately, they got out of the star business a year ago and have made some questionable moves over the years to deplete their assets. Terry Rozier is mercifully on the final year of his contract at $26.6m, but they still have 2 more years of Andrew Wiggins at $28m and at least 1 more year of Tyler Herro who they would probably love to deal rather than extend. Still, they are the Heat and will always be active.
    • Trade Possibilities: Pat Riley is dying to get someone to lead his team. Zion Williamson is that guy. There is no better fit for player and place. They can offer two 1sts and three swaps plus either Herro or Adebayo to get the deal done. Getting the Pelicans to get out of their own way to make the trade will be the trick though. Expect them to be in on everyone available.
11. Indiana Pacers
    • Last Year: 50-32, lost to Thunder in Finals
    • Haliburton’s Finals injury is one of the most crushing things you’ll ever see in sports. Not only did it crush the championship dreams of one of the biggest underdogs you’ll ever see, but it killed this year too. Then Myles Turner left and a bunch of fun likeable players lost their engine and their long time captain. Sucks bad.
    • Trade Possibilities: Because they have Haliburton waiting in the wings to come back next season, the Pacers might take this season to reload and get their finances right. They could look to sell high on a guy like Bennedict Mathurin rather than paying his extension or even someone like TJ McConnell who everyone loves. If they choose to go the other way and load up now for next year (probably not), they have all their picks.
12. Chicago Bulls
    • Last Year: 39-43, lost Play-In
    • The Bulls have 3 valuable players on their roster and none of them are anywhere near their highest paid. Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Matas Buzelis will probably just turn into only Buzelis by next year as the Bulls have a knack for locking up the wrong talent. A TON of contracts are coming off the books this offseason leaving about $80m in cap room. Let’s see how they screw that up.
    • Trade Possibilities: The Bulls have all their picks and a lottery protected 1st from Portland this year. Instead of saving those and keeping the powder dry, they will probably overpay for someone who will not help them. Doesn’t this seem like a team Utah would fleece for Markkanen or the Knicks for KAT? I can totally see them emptying the chamber for those two guys just to remain right where they are.
13. Charlotte Hornets
    • Last Year: 19-63, drafted #4 overall
    • The Hornets have a ton of young talent and a lot of extra draft picks coming their way. What they do not have is an adult in the room. Lamelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel are all 24 and younger and will be here for awhile. It would be great if they could move all of them down the pecking order by 1. The easiest fit in terms of the market is Zion Williamson, but he’s definitely not the adult they need. Can I interest you in a slightly used Paul George???
    • Trade Possibilities: Now that would be a gift huh? No way that happens. Instead, they could be in the eventual Towns sweepstakes, especially if it meant a 3-way deal that sent Markkanen to NY.
14. Washington Wizards
    • Last Year: 18-64, drafted #6 overall
    • The Wizards stink, but they are nowhere near the mess you think they are. All of a sudden, they have some actual young talent in Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and Tre Johnson. Unlike Charlotte, they actually have some adults in the room in Kris Middleton and CJ McCollum. If you squint, you can see some fun wins coming out of Washington this season. They still need a star though.
    • Trade Possibilities: Washington is sitting on possibly 4 extra 1st rounders over the next 6 years. I know it seems weird, but they might be able to take advantage of some Sacramento disfunction and steal Domantas Sabonis away without giving up too much. His position and play making might be just what this young teams needs to make all the pieces fit.
15. Brooklyn Nets
    • Last Year: 26-56, drafted #8 overall
    • One of the most interesting bad teams you will ever see. Don’t get me wrong, you should never actually see them. Under no circumstances should you watch a minute of Nets basketball. However, they are going to have about $50m worth of cap room next year and could make any trade they want thanks to their cache of draft picks. Teams like the Hawks and even the Lakers have to be wary that any gambits on their stars will backfire because of Brooklyn.
    • Trade Possibilities: The Nets have 5 extra 1st rounders mostly thanks to the Knicks and the Mikel Bridges trade. They could still acquire more too thanks to having tradeable contracts that will allow teams to park their high priced clunkers within the Nets spacious cap room. If I’m them though, I’m using the picks this summer to try to pull off a Trae Young/Giannis coup.

That’s the Eastern Conference with the West coming tomorrow. Picks and predictions before the Wednesday opener, hopefully.