Which lotto team will be next to win a championship?

[JohnBoy65]

This is a fun question that was on the Bill Simmons podcast Friday. Thought it'd be fun to talk about. I don't think you can ever keep out the Lakers with their ability to appeal to stars, but I think if I had to guess I'd pick Washington. Especially if they're going to make a splash this off season.

Thoughts?

[GC003332]

My top 5 would be

New Orleans
New York
Minnesota
Philadelphia
LA Lakers

[Who]

Let's see what the options are

East

Charlotte = train wreck leadership at top of organization
Washington = bad GM, not a winner.
NY Knicks = Porzingis + Phil Jackson. Aging Melo. Attractive to FAs.
Orlando = most young talent in the East. Questionable fit of talent + Dodgy owner.
Milwaukee = do not have Championship aspirations. Only playoffs.
Brooklyn = worst shape in the league
Philly = Colangelo is not a title winner. He will fast-track rebuilding at cost of titles.

West

Portland = Lillard and little else. Promising GM.
Sacramento = train wreck owner. Combustible mix of talent. Cousins future departure.
New Orleans = terrible front office and coach. Best individual talent in NBA in AD.
Denver = not committed to winning title.
Phoenix = some good pieces but unclear path forward. Attractive FA destination.
Minnesota = bad owner. Loss of Flip. Great 1-2 punch (Wiggins, Towns).
LA Lakers = questionable leadership at top. Attractive to FAs. Draft pick.

[Who]

I am leaning towards the LA Lakers.
Not a lot there presently but strong name recognition, city and ambition.

The alternatives are not doing a lot to persuade me to pick them. Minnesota have the best opportunity out of everybody but I expect them to screw it up. It is what they do. Phoenix is the only other team in the West I feel good about.

The Knicks look the best option in the East mainly due to Porzingis and questionable leadership of other teams in the conference.

[Moranis]

I'd say in order

Lakers, Sixers, Knicks, Wolves, Pelicans, Bucks, Wizards, Kings

After that the probability is so low it is almost zero (and it isn't like those teams have a great probability either, just enough of one to not be almost zero)

[straightouttabahstun]

Minnesota. That team has way too much young talent. Between Towns, Wiggins, and then landing themselves another top 5 pick this year (assuming its not a bust), they will be a scary team in the 2020's. Plus if Garnett contributes in the front office like he says he wants to, I think he can help establish a winning attitude and culture like he did in Boston.

[PhoSita]

In the East, I think the Bucks have the highest-ceiling "best case scenario with the current crop of players."

I'm tempted to say the Wizards, though, just because it's a relatively large market and they've got John Wall.


In the West, the Timberwolves have some fantastic talent, but I'm not ready to trust their ownership and who knows which coach they'll hire for the long term.

Given that, I'd have to go with Portland or Utah.  Both teams have excellent coaching, modestly accomplished management, and a promising foundation for the future.

[LGC88]

Easy, that would be New York in 2048.