Who will rival the Nets in suckitude this year?

[Quetzalcoatl]

Westbrook + Kanter & Adams is going to be stupid fun to watch against most teams.  They're going to be out for blood.  I think Westbrook stays

[jpotter33]

Sixers and Lakers for sure.  Probably another 2-3 teams will suffer injuries as well and fall to the bottom of the pack.  Bulls or Knicks seem like candidates for that.  Maybe the Kings will finally trade Cousins.

I just don't see the Lakers as being a threat. They did enough to ensure that they wouldn't give the Sixers a top pick in the draft, which was literally their motivation for these signings this summer. I think the addition of Mozgov, Deng, Ingram and internal improvements from their other young guys, along with the addition by subtraction of Kobe, easily pushes them into higher 20's in wins.

[jpotter33]

Philly, Lakers, Bulls, and OKC if they dump Westbrook. Things are looking pretty good.

Are you talking Bulls without Butler if they trade him or with Butler?

[tankcity!]

Westbrook + Kanter & Adams is going to be stupid fun to watch against most teams.  They're going to be out for blood.  I think Westbrook stays

They probably won't even make the playoffs. They didn't the year KD was injured for entire year.

[A Future of Stevens]

Sixers and Lakers for sure.  Probably another 2-3 teams will suffer injuries as well and fall to the bottom of the pack.  Bulls or Knicks seem like candidates for that.  Maybe the Kings will finally trade Cousins.

I'm kind of optimistic that Philly passes them due to them not trying to lose. Simmons (albeit I only saw one summer league game lol) looks to have the passing skills advertised. They also have signed a few decent vets. I also am still on the embiid wagon. If he is 80% of the player I think he is, he will definitely help them a few games. I also think they try to move the other bigs for a veteran guard or swing.

[tankcity!]

It looks to be another competitive year. Have to imagine suns will be better due to injuries last year. Sixers isn't even a team yet. They have three centers so they're definitely a threat. And let's be honest, they have no incentive to win. That's dangerous.

[max215]

Philly, Lakers, Bulls, and OKC if they dump Westbrook. Things are looking pretty good.

Are you talking Bulls without Butler if they trade him or with Butler?

I think they could be bottom 5 with him. Rondo is an atrocious fit; they'll be awful.

[colincb]

01. Philadelphia 76ers
02. Los Angeles Lakers
03. Brooklyn Nets
04. Phoenix Suns
05. Minnesota Timberwolves
06. New Orleans Pelicans
07. Denver Nuggets
08. Sacramento Kings
09. New York Knicks
10. Milwaukee Bucks

Worst 10 teams from last year. Sixers, Lakers, Wolves, and Knicks get better. Bucks probably too good to get down to low 20s. Bolded teams are the trash. BKN is early favorite to get worst record and a bottom 3 pick seems pretty safe.

[wiley]

I think you should bold the Lakers. I think record-wise they'll be in line for a top 3 pick...

[jpotter33]

Philly, Lakers, Bulls, and OKC if they dump Westbrook. Things are looking pretty good.

Are you talking Bulls without Butler if they trade him or with Butler?

I think they could be bottom 5 with him. Rondo is an atrocious fit; they'll be awful.

I agree about Rondo, but I think the rest of the team with Butler, Lopez, Gibson, and their young guys still makes them significantly better than the Nets.

[Ed Hollison]

01. Philadelphia 76ers
02. Los Angeles Lakers
03. Brooklyn Nets
04. Phoenix Suns
05. Minnesota Timberwolves
06. New Orleans Pelicans
07. Denver Nuggets
08. Sacramento Kings
09. New York Knicks
10. Milwaukee Bucks

Worst 10 teams from last year. Sixers, Lakers, Wolves, and Knicks get better. Bucks probably too good to get down to low 20s. Bolded teams are the trash. BKN is early favorite to get worst record and a bottom 3 pick seems pretty safe.

This poster nailed it. It's important to note which organizations have run out of patience with tanking. Lakers tried it last year because of the pick to the 76ers and needing to be bottom 3, and they aren't likely to try again. 76ers have Colangelo now and are actively trying to not stink. Timberwolves already have the best young core in the game. If you ask me none of those teams is a candidate to be worse, record wise, than the Nets.

In other words, you have to look to teams 6-10 for a candidate to drop all the way to the bottom. And guessing that at this point is impossible.

In sum: I'd be surprised if we don't have a top 3 pick next June. And I think we'll have another solid crack at it one year after that.