Predicting the Path of Every Team
We’re just under a fourth of the way through the NBA season, and the standings are starting to shape up. We can see who’s looking like contenders, and who’s fighting for the top spot in the lottery. I categorize teams in the NBA by one of five terms - contending, buying, irrelevant, selling, and rebuilding. It’s at the point where I can tell which team is which, and so I’m going to explain why I think that about every team. Contending means that the team is set and ready to go. They have all the pieces they need to make a deep run in the playoffs. The term buying means that the team is one or two key pieces away from being a contending team. They’re the teams that would most likely make a big trade right before the deadline in order to make that next leap. Irrelevant teams are those few teams who are just good enough to make the playoffs, and think they have a chance at doing something. They’ll end up as a 7 or 8 seed and then have their do-nothing season end in the first round. Selling teams are those teams who are just not good enough to make the playoffs, so they are most likely looking to start a rebuild. They are the teams that will trade their big pieces to the buying teams. Lastly, there are the rebuilding teams are in a state of completely starting over, and are most likely ending up with a top 10 pick in next year’s draft.
Atlanta Hawks - Rebuilding
Even though Trae Young has been amazing, it’s looking like another rebuilding year for Atlanta.
Boston Celtics - Buying
As a Celtics fan, I think we are just a piece of two away from making a real run at the title.
Brooklyn Nets - Irrelevant
As good as Kyrie is, this isn’t the Nets year, but just wait for KD to come back next year.
Charlotte Hornets - Rebuilding
The Hornets lost Kemba this year, and that means they are hitting the reset button.
Chicago Bulls - Rebuilding
While the Bulls could potentially make a playoff run this year, it’s not looking good right now.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Selling
The Cavs are looking to start a rebuild, but they need to trade their good players first.
Dallas Mavericks - Buying
The Mavs look like the real deal this year, but they need a couple more pieces to pair with Luka.
Denver Nuggets - Buying
Some would say they’re contending, but I think this team needs more before making a run.
Detroit Pistons - Irrelevant
I think the Pistons should be selling, but their management will try to contend.
Golden State Warriors - Rebuilding
This will be a one year rebuild for the Warriors, just while their stars get healthy.
Houston Rockets - Contending
I think all the pieces are there, they just have to build the team chemistry.
Indiana Pacers - Irrelevant
Victor Oladipo won’t be back in time to make a push, so for now they’re not going to do much.
Los Angeles Clippers - Contending
The Clips are one of the top teams this year - enough said.
Los Angeles Lakers - Contending
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are enough to be contending on their own.
Memphis Grizzlies - Rebuilding
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are going to be the stars of this rebuild.
Miami Heat - Buying
If they can find another guy to pair with Jimmy, they can make some noise in the East.
Milwaukee Bucks - Contending
Giannis. Yup.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Irrelevant
I think they could be buying, but they’ll take the year to let Wiggins develop for real.
New Orleans Pelicans - Irrelevant
This is a weird mix of good players and young talent.
New York Knicks - Rebuilding
It’s going to be another long and painful year for the Knicks.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Selling
Chris Paul will most likely be gone by the end of the season.
Orlando Magic - Selling
I don’t think Vucevic will be in Orlando much longer.
Philadelphia 76ers - Contending
I think all the pieces are there in Philly, they just have to start playing as a team.
Phoenix Suns - Irrelevant
The Suns look pretty good, they’re just in a weird place right now in terms of playoffs.
Portland Trailblazers - Buying
The Blazers are desperate for pieces in order to start contending.
Sacramento Kings - Rebuilding
I think they thought they would contend this year, but they’re still amidst their rebuild.
San Antonio Spurs - Irrelevant
It sucks to see, but Pops and the Spurs aren’t going to do anything this season.
Toronto Raptors - Selling
The Raptors will probably trade their older guys for youth, but still end up a playoff threat.
Utah Jazz - Buying
The Jazz are another team that is just a piece or two away from a run.
Washington Wizards - Selling
I don’t know if they’ll trade Beal, but they should try to start the rebuild process in Washington.
