Thunder
There’s no need to rush the Thunder and their development, wrote Ivan White of SI.com.
For starters, White is right. Oklahoma City finished with the best record in the Western Conference last season — after a lot of people had them pegged as a lottery team. The Thunder are still young, talented and very much on the rise.
“Last season, Oklahoma City won 57 games and became the youngest team in NBA history to win a playoff series,” White wrote. “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander established himself as a superstar, finishing second in MVP voting, but Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s growth helped catapult the team to a contender.
“… The Thunder would be thrilled if either or both players take the next step next season. Yet, the team would still be in a good situation if Gilgeous-Alexander is its only representative (at the All-Star Game) in San Francisco.”
Without a doubt, as long as SGA is rolling, the Thunder should go places.
Pelicans
Things are looking up for the Pelicans after the trade for Dejounte Murray, but there are still moves to be made. There has to be, right?
“Since that trade was announced, it has felt like another move would be coming down the pipeline,” wrote Kenneth Teape of SI.com. “As currently constructed, the Pelicans have a major logjam on the wing and are lacking depth in the front court.”
With the likes of Murray, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, New Orleans does have plenty of talent and depth at the wing spots.
The issues (or perceived issues) come up front, aside from power forward Zion Williamson. Center Jonas Valanciunas left for the Wizards in free agency, and the Pelicans have yet to add anyone beyond journeyman Daniel Theis and rookie Yves Missi.
Of course, there’s also the Ingram contract situation, which could create some havoc if he’s still on the roster come the start of the season. For now, he’s expected to be.
“What’s more, New Orleans also has two players, essentially at Ingram’s position, in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones who make more sense next to superstar Zion Williamson,” wrote Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report. “The Pels don’t need Ingram — and reportedly don’t even want him at his asking price.”
So, yeah. Stay tuned.
Jazz
The Jazz seemingly can’t decide whether to tank or try to make a serious run at the playoffs, Hughes wrote.
“Utah seems to want it both ways. It’s loaded with young players who need developmental reps, and it could steer into a terrible record by granting Keyonte George and the rest big roles from start to finish,” Hughes wrote. “But it also has many capable veterans who’ve played well enough to keep the team in the playoff hunt.”
You do have to wonder what’s next for the Jazz. They signed Lauri Markkanen to a contract extension, which was a good move. But do they have any intention of trying to win as much as possible? It seems like in each of the last two seasons, they purposely have tried to dive toward the lottery from February on.
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