Bears

<p>College basketball is full of excitement and drama. While winning a national championship is the ultimate goal for every team, there have been many loaded squads that came up short.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While the teams on this list didn&rsquo;t win a title, they are still often mentioned among the best teams in the history of college basketball. Here are the best college-basketball teams that failed to win it all.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>11. 1965-66 Kentucky Wildcats</strong></span></p>
<p>The 1965-66 Kentucky Wildcats were coached by Adolph Rupp and their talented roster included future NBA stars Pat Riley and Louie Dampier. The Wildcats finished the season with a record of 27-2 and advanced to the national championship game, where they faced the Texas Western Miners. In a game that would later be immortalized in the movie "Glory Road," the Miners upset the Wildcats, 72-65.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>10. 2006-07 Ohio State Buckeyes</strong></span></p>
<p>Led by future No. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden and longtime NBA point guard Mike Conley, the Buckeyes were hoping to win their second national championship in program history. Ohio State, traditionally a football school, finished the season 35-4 and ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. The Buckeyes advanced to the national championship game, where they faced a loaded Florida Gators squad that was led by future NBA All-Stars Joakim Noah and Al Horford.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the national championship game, Oden avoided the foul trouble that had plagued him earlier in the tournament and put up a dominant 25 points and 12 rebounds. However, it wasn&rsquo;t enough, as the Gators defeated the Buckeyes 84-75 behind Horford's 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Four players from the Buckeyes' roster would go on to play in the NBA: Conley, Oden, Daequan Cook and Othello Hunter.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>9. 2004-05 Illinois Fighting Illini</strong></span></p>
<p>The 2004-05 Illinois Fighting Illini were a dominant force in college basketball. Coached by Bruce Weber and led by Dee Brown and Deron Williams, the Illini won their first 29 games of the season and finished with a 37-2 record.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Illinois advanced to the national championship game, where they faced the North Carolina Tar Heels (who were led by Raymond Felton, Sean May, Rashad McCants and Marvin Williams). Despite a valiant effort, the Illini fell just short, losing 75-70. Five of their players would go on to play in the NBA: Williams, Brown, Luther Head, Roger Powell and James Augustine.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/rose22.jpg" alt="" width="690" height="349" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>8. 2007-08 Memphis Tigers</strong></span></p>
<p>Yes, John Calipari has back-to-back teams on this list. Coach Cal&rsquo;s 2007-08 Memphis Tigers were absolutely loaded and they were led by Derrick Rose, who would go on to be the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Joey Dorsey and Antonio Anderson were also key contributors who eventually had stints in the NBA.</p>
<p>The Tigers finished the season with a record of 38-2 and they advanced to the national championship game, where they faced the Kansas Jayhawks. Despite a strong effort, the Tigers were unable to overcome the Jayhawks. Memphis missed a number of late free throws, which opened the door for Mario Chalmers to hit <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/march-madness-ranking-the-top11-ncaa-tournament-buzzerbeaters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the most memorable buzzer-beaters in modern NCAA Tournament history</a> and force overtime. Kansas would go on to win, 75-68.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>7. 1974-75 Indiana Hoosiers</strong></span></p>
<p>Led by head coach Bob Knight, the 1974-75 Indiana Hoosiers finished the season with a record of 31-1 and advanced to the Final Four, where they faced the Kentucky Wildcats. Despite a strong effort, the Hoosiers were upset by the Wildcats, 92-90.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Hoosiers would have eight players who would go on to play in the NBA: Scott May, Steve Green, Kent Benson, Quinn Buckner, John Laskowski, Bob Wilkerson, Tom Abernethy and Wayne Radford.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>6. 1996-97 Kansas Jayhawks</strong></span></p>
<p>The 1996-97 Kansas Jayhawks featured a pair of future NBA stars (Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz) and one of the best coaches in college-basketball history (Roy Williams). The Jayhawks finished the season with a record of 34-2 and advanced to the Final Four, where they faced the&nbsp; Arizona Wildcats.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Pierce put together a monster performance &mdash; 27 points, 11 rebounds, 3 threes, 2 blocks and 2 steals on 69.2/60/100 shooting splits &mdash; but it wasn't enough to defeat Mike Bibby&rsquo;s Wildcats. The Jayhawks lost 85-82 in overtime. In addition to Pierce and LaFrentz, Kansas had four other players go on to the NBA: Scot Pollard, Billy Thomas, Jacque Vaughn and Ryan Robertson.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>5. 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats</strong></span></p>
<p>The 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats, coached by John Calipari, featured quite the collection of young, high-upside talent. Led by future NBA superstars Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker, the Wildcats finished the season with a perfect record of 38-0.</p>
<p>Kentucky advanced to the Final Four, where they faced the Wisconsin Badgers and were ultimately upset 71-64. In total, a whopping nine Wildcats would go on to play in the NBA: Towns, Booker, Trey Lyles, Willie Cauley-Stein, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Tyler Ulis, Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>4. 1984-85 Georgetown Hoyas</strong></span></p>
<p>The 1984-85 Georgetown Hoyas, coached by John Thompson, were a powerhouse team that featured future NBA star Patrick Ewing. The Hoyas finished the season with a record of 35-3 and advanced to the national championship game, where they faced the Villanova Wildcats.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In one of the biggest upsets in college-basketball history, the Wildcats defeated the Hoyas 66-64. In addition to Ewing, Georgetown had four other players who went on to play in the NBA: Reggie Williams, Bill Martin, David Wingate and Michael Jackson.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/web2.jpg" alt="" width="690" height="348" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3. 1992-93 Michigan Wolverines</strong></span></p>
<p>The prior season, the Fab Five took college basketball by storm, with bald heads and baggy shorts. They started five true freshmen and had a great season, making it all the way to the national championship game, where they were handled by a veteran Duke squad that was led by Christian Laettner, Grant Hill and Bobby Hurley, losing 71-51.</p>
<p>In the 1992-93 season, the Wolverines were widely regarded as the most talented team in the country and they were the favorites to win it all. Unfortunately, they fell short to North Carolina in the national championship game in one of the most memorable endings in sports history. Future No. 1 pick Chris Webber called a timeout that Michigan didn&rsquo;t have, as they lost 77-71. Michigan had five players who would later play in the NBA: Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Eric Riley (plus Rob Pelinka would go on to run the Los Angeles Lakers' front office).</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2. 1982-83 Houston Cougars</strong></span></p>
<p>Led by future Hall-of-Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the 1982-83 Houston Cougars were known as "Phi Slama Jama" for their high-flying style of play. The Cougars were a dominant force on both ends of the court. They advanced to the Final Four, where they faced the N.C. State Wolfpack. Despite a 20-point lead in the second half, the Cougars were upset by the Wolfpack, 54-52. In addition to the superstar pairing of Olajuwon and Drexler, Houston also had two other players who would go on to play in the NBA: Michael Young and Larry Micheaux.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. 1990-91 UNLV Runnin' Rebels</strong></span></p>
<p>The 1990-91 UNLV Runnin' Rebels are one of the greatest college basketball teams of all-time, despite not winning the national championship. Coached by Jerry Tarkanian, the Rebels had an incredible season, finishing with a record of 34-1.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Led by Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony, the Rebels played an up-tempo style of basketball that was both thrilling and effective. In the Final Four, they lost a close game to the Duke Blue Devils, who would go on to win the national championship. Johnson, Augmon and Anthony would go on to thrive in the NBA, and two other Rebels would also make it to the league (Elmore Spencer and Eyric Gray).</p>
<p><em>Would you rank these teams differently? Who is missing from this list? </em><a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tweet us your thoughts now</span></em></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></em></p>

Jamal Shakespeare looks back on 11 all-time great college basketball teams that failed to win a championship.

Revisiting 11 loaded NCAA-basketball teams that failed to win it all

<p>Creighton has its best preseason ranking ever thanks in part to the big victory it earned in the transfer portal.</p>
<p>Baylor Scheierman&rsquo;s decision to return to his home state and play for Creighton after three stellar seasons at South Dakota State gave Creighton one of the nation&rsquo;s more versatile players.</p>
<p>Scheierman, a first-team all-Summit League selection each of the last two years, was the only Division I player last season to lead his conference in both rebounds (7.8) and assists (4.5). He was a finalist for the Lou Henson Award given annually to the nation&rsquo;s top mid-major player.</p>
<p>South Dakota State went 68-22 in Scheierman&rsquo;s three seasons, including a 30-5 mark last season that included an NCAA Tournament appearance.</p>
<p>Now he&rsquo;s taking his game to the Big East.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It was definitely a tough decision,&rdquo; Scheierman told reporters. &ldquo;Obviously, being there for three years and winning as much as we did, the relationships were pretty strong. This was a move for me individually, hoping to reach my dreams of playing in the NBA.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Scheierman, who is from Aurora, Nebraska, showed his ability to deal with Big East competition in his final game at South Dakota State. The 6-foot-7 guard collected 18 points and 10 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament loss to Providence.</p>
<p>His addition has helped Creighton earn a No. 9 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25. The Bluejays also return three players who averaged at least 10 points last season in Ryan Kalkbrenner, Arthur Kaluma and Ryan Nembhard.</p>
<p>&ldquo;He can score the basketball, but he&rsquo;s an elite, elite passer,&rdquo; Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. &ldquo;Adding that to what we already had returning is quite a skill to add to this group.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Scheierman is one of the more notable players switching teams this season (former schools are included in parentheses):</p>
<p><strong>MEMPHIS G KENDRIC DAVIS (SMU)</strong></p>
<p>Davis will try to defend his American Athletic Conference player of the year title at a different school. The 6-footer led the AAC with 19.4 points per game at SMU and also ranked third in the league in assists (4.4) at SMU last season.</p>
<p><strong>KANSAS STATE F KEYONTAE JOHNSON (Florida)</strong></p>
<p>Johnson was the Southeastern Conference&rsquo;s preseason player of the year in 2020-21 but collapsed during a game in December 2020 and hasn&rsquo;t played since. This season marks his comeback with a new team. Johnson was an Associated Press second-team all-SEC selection in 2019-20. He had 14 points and 7.1 rebounds per game that season.</p>
<p><strong>NORTH CAROLINA F PETE NANCE (Northwestern)</strong></p>
<p>Nance never got to play in an NCAA Tournament for Northwestern but the 6-foot-11 graduate student now gets a chance to play for the top-ranked Tar Heels, who reached the national championship game last season. Nance, the son of former NBA player Larry Nance, had 14.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season while shooting 45.2% from 3-point range.</p>
<p><strong>MIAMI G NIJEL PACK (Kansas State)</strong></p>
<p>This 6-footer earned first-team all-Big 12 honors last season and was named the conference&rsquo;s most improved player. He averaged 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals. He also made 95 3-pointers and shot 43.6% from beyond the arc. Pack was one of seven Division I players to score at least 17 points per game while shooting at least 43% from 3-point range.</p>
<p><strong>GONZAGA G MALACHI SMITH (Chattanooga)</strong></p>
<p>Smith was the Southern Conference player of the year and won the Lou Henson Award as the nation&rsquo;s top mid-major performer last season. He had 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.7 steals per game while helping Chattanooga reach the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p><strong>LSU F KJ WILLIAMS (Murray State)</strong></p>
<p>This 6-10 forward followed coach Matt McMahon from Murray State to LSU after leading the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring (18.0 ppg) and ranked second in the league in rebounding (8.4) last season. He had 18 points and seven rebounds as Murray State defeated San Francisco in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Williams averaged 13.7 points for Murray State in 2019-20 and 15.6 points in 2020-21.&nbsp;</p>

Creighton has its best preseason ranking ever thanks in part to the big victory it earned in the transfer portal.

Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman tops list of impact transfers

<p>Here is a team-by-team breakdown of the players each team ended up with in the 2022 NBA Draft (includes proposed trades):</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Atlanta Hawks</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (16) AJ Griffin, f, Duke.</p>
<p>2 (44) Ryan Rollins, g, Toledo.</p>
<p>2 (51) Tyrese Martin, f, UConn. (from Golden State)</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Boston Celtics</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>2 (53) JD Davison, g, Alabama.</p>
<table style="height: 23px; width: 18.1462%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 23px;">
<th style="height: 23px; width: 89.2446%;"><strong>Brooklyn Nets</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>No Picks.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Charlotte Hornets</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (15) Mark Williams, C, Duke.</p>
<p>2 (40) Bryce McGowens, g, Nebraska. (from Minnesota)</p>
<p>2 (45) Josh Minott, f, Memphis.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Chicago Bulls</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (18) Dalen Terry, g, Arizona.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Cleveland Cavaliers</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (14) Ochai Agbaji, g, Kansas.</p>
<p>2 (39) Khalifa Diop, c, Gran Canaria (Spain).</p>
<p>2 (49) Isaiah Mobley, f, USC. (from Chicago via Memphis, Detroit and Sacramento)</p>
<p>2 (56) Luke Travers, g, Perth (Australia).</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Dallas Mavericks</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (26) Wendell Moore Jr., f, Duke. (from Houston)</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Denver Nuggets</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (21) Christian Braun, g, Kansas.</p>
<p>2 (46) Ismael Kamagate, Paris (France). (from Detroit)</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Detroit Pistons</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (5) Jaden Ivey, g, Purdue.</p>
<p>1 (13) Jalen Duren, C, Memphis. (from Charlotte)</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Golden State Warriors</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (28) Patrick Baldwin Jr., f, Milwaukee.</p>
<p>2 (55) Gui Santos, f, Minas (Brazil).</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Houston Rockets</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (3) Jabari Smith Jr., f, Auburn.</p>
<p>1 (17) Tari Eason, f, LSU.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Indiana Pacers</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (6) Bennedict Mathurin, f, Arizona.</p>
<p>2 (31) Andrew Nembhard, g, Gonzaga.</p>
<p>2 (58) Hugo Besson, g, New Zealand (Australia).</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>L.A. Clippers</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>2 (43) Moussa Diabate, f, Michigan.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>L.A. Lakers</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>2 (35) Max Christie, g, Michigan State. (from Orlando via Indiana and Milwaukee)</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Memphis Grizzlies</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (19) Jake LaRavia, f, Wake Forest. (from Minnesota)</p>
<p>1 (23) David Roddy, f, Colorado State. (from Philadelphia)</p>
<p>1 (29) TyTy Washington Jr., g, Kentucky.</p>
<p>2 (47) Vince Williams Jr., VCU.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Miami Heat</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (27) Nikola Jovic, f, Mega (Serbia)</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Milwaukee Bucks</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (24) MarJon Beauchamp, g, G-League Ignite.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Minnesota Timberwolves</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (22) Walker Kessler, c, Auburn. (from Memphis)</p>
<p>2 (48) Kendall Brown, f, Baylor.</p>
<p>2 (50) Matteo Spagnolo, g, Cremona (Italy).</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>New Orleans Pelicans</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (8) Dyson Daniels, g-league Ignite.</p>
<p>2 (41) E.J. Liddell, f, Ohio State.</p>
<p>2 (52) Karlo Matkovic, Mega</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>New York Knicks</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>2 (42) Trevor Keels, f, Duke.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Oklahoma City Thunder</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (2) Chet Holmgren, c, Gonzaga.</p>
<p>1 (11) Ousemane Dieng, f, New Zealand (Australia). (from New York)</p>
<p>1 (12) Jalen Williams, g, Santa Clara.</p>
<p>1 (30) Peyton Watson, f, UCLA.</p>
<p>2 (34) Jaylin Williams, f, Arkansas.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Orlando Magic</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (1) Paolo Banchero, f, Duke.</p>
<p>2 (32) Caleb Houstan, f, Michigan.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Philadelphia 76ers</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>No Picks.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Phoenix Suns</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>No Picks.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Portland Trail Blazers</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (7) Shaedon Sharpe, g, Kentucky.</p>
<p>2 (36) Gabriele Procida, g, Fortitudo Bologna (Italy).</p>
<p>2 (57) Jabari Walker, f, Colorado.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Sacramento Kings</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (4) Keegan Murray, f, Iowa.</p>
<p>2 (37) Jaden Hardy, g, G-League Ignite.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>San Antonio Spurs</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (9) Jeremy Sochan, f, Baylor.</p>
<p>1 (20) Malaki Branham, g, Ohio State.</p>
<p>1 (25) Blake Wesley, g, Notre Dame.</p>
<p>2 (38) Kennedy Chandler, g, Tennessee.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Toronto Raptors</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>2 (33) Christian Koloko, f, Arizona.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Utah Jazz</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>No Picks.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th><strong>Washington Wizards</strong></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>1 (10) Johnny Davis, g, Wisconsin.</p>
<p>2 (54) Yannick Nzosa, c, Unicaja (Spain). &lt;</p>

A team-by-team breakdown of the players each team ended up with in the 2022 NBA Draft (includes proposed trades).

2022 NBA Draft: Team-by-team selections for all 60 picks

<p style="font-weight: 400;">The NBA announced the 76 players who are expected to attend the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, which is scheduled for May 18-20 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">The 2022 NBA Draft Combine is an important step in the draft process for NBA prospects, leading up to 2022 NBA Draft on June 23.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five games, shooting drills and strength-and-agility drills from May 18-20. Coverage of the 2022 NBA Draft Combine begins Thursday, May 19 on ESPNews from 3-5 p.m. ET and transitions to ESPN2 from 5-7 p.m. ET. The coverage continues on Friday, May 20 from 1-2 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and 2-5 p.m. ET on ESPNews.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, a select number of standout players from the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-announces-field-of-44-draft-prospects-for-g-league-elite-camp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA G League Elite Camp</a>, which takes place May 16-17 at Wintrust Arena, will be invited to participate in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Here is the complete list of expected attendees for this year's NBA Draft Combine (and check out <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com's 2022 NBA Mock Draft</a> to see where each player is projected to go):&nbsp;</p>
<table style="font-weight: 400;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="832">
<p><strong>Player (College/Club)</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Ochai Agbaji (Kansas)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Justin Lewis (Marquette)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Paolo Banchero (Duke)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>E.J. Liddell (Ohio State)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Dominick Barlow (Overtime Elite)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Marjon Beauchamp (G League Ignite)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Matthew Mayer (Baylor)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Hugo Besson (New Zealand Breakers)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Bryce McGowens (Nebraska)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Malaki Branham (Ohio State)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Leonard Miller (Fort Erie Intl. Academy [Canada] )</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Christian Braun (Kansas)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Josh Minott (Memphis)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Kendall Brown (Baylor)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>John Butler Jr. (Florida State)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Iverson Molinar (Mississippi State)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Julian Champagnie (St. John&rsquo;s)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jean Montero (Overtime Elite)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Wendell Moore Jr. (Duke)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Max Christie (Michigan State)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Keegan Murray (Iowa)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Kofi Cockburn (Illinois)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Gabriele Procida (Fortitudo Bologna [Italy] )</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>JD Davison (Alabama)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Orlando Robinson (Fresno State)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Moussa Diabate (Michigan)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>David Roddy (Colorado State)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Ryan Rollins (Toledo)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Khalifa Diop (Gran Canaria [Spain] )</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Dereon Seabron (North Carolina State)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Jalen Duren (Memphis)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Tari Eason (LSU)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jabari Smith (Auburn)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Keon Ellis (Alabama)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Michael Foster Jr. (G League Ignite)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jeremy Sochan (Baylor)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Collin Gillespie (Villanova)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Matteo Spagnolo (Cremona [Italy] )</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>AJ Griffin (Duke)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Julian Strawther (Gonzaga)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Dalen Terry (Arizona)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Ron Harper Jr. (Rutgers)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Drew Timme (Gonzaga)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jabari Walker (Colorado)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Harrison Ingram (Stanford)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>TyTy Washington Jr. (Kentucky)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Jaden Ivey (Purdue)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Peyton Watson (UCLA)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Blake Wesley (Notre Dame)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Nikola Jovic (Mega [Serbia] )</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Alondes Williams (Wake Forest)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Johnny Juzang (UCLA)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jalen Williams (Santa Clara)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Ismael Kamagate (Paris [France] )</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Jaylin Williams (Arkansas)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Trevor Keels (Duke)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Mark Williams (Duke)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Walker Kessler (Auburn)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Trevion Williams (Purdue)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
<p>Christian Koloko (Arizona)</p>
</td>
<td width="442">
<p>Fanbo Zeng (G League Ignite)</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

The NBA announced the 76 players who are expected to attend the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, which takes place May 18-20 in Chicago.

NBA announces 76 prospects who will attend 2022 NBA Draft Combine

<p>There are many unknowns surrounding this NBA offseason. The 2020 NBA Draft is on Nov. 18, but that's the only day that is set in stone. Bubble is over and the only thing NBA fans have to do at this time is hang onto hope.</p>
<p>But that is the nifty thing about the NBA, especially when it comes to the have-nots. The draft brings hope for the long-term, while free agency brings hope for the short-term.</p>
<p>With that in mind, let&rsquo;s take a look at the NBA teams that project to have the most salary-cap space this offseason and what they are positioned to do in terms of possible wants and needs.</p>
<p><strong>Teams That Definitely Have Cap Space</strong></p>
<p><strong>Atlanta Hawks </strong></p>
<p>Despite getting nearly 30 points per game from Trae Young and more than 20 from John Collins, the Hawks were 20-47 last season. At the trade deadline, they went out and traded for Clint Capela, who is 26 years old and should anchor the middle long after Dewayne Dedmon and his two years and $26.6 million of salary eventually come off the books. If Atlanta could find a way to move Dedmon this offseason, the organization's committed salary number would drop to the $45 million range. As it is, Capela and Dedmon will be the two highest-paid players on the team next season. Jeff Teague will likely head elsewhere as a free agent, meaning a point guard should be a priority in free agency. The best young one out in the market is Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors, who likely will have his choice of destinations once free agency begins sometime after the draft.</p>
<p>Atlanta has always been a favored destination city for a lot of NBA players because of the usual nightlife, although the pandemic has made nightlife a fond memory in most major American cities. Still, operating under the assumption that things will eventually return to normal, players and their agents who look at the Hawks see a terrific youthful trio in Young, 22, Collins, 23, and Capela, 26. The Hawks missed the postseason in each of the past three years after making it for 10-straight seasons, and general manager Travis Schlenk has stuck to a steady rebuild plan. Cam Reddish will be entering his second NBA season, and Atlanta selects No. 6 in this year's draft.</p>
<p>Having the most cap room in the NBA (about $40 million) will allow the Hawks to broker deals and add players without having to match salaries, so this is a franchise that should be positioned to grow into a contender over the next few years. Given the fact that they MUST spend 90 percent of the cap on somebody, it is incumbent upon head coach Lloyd Pierce and the ownership group (led by Tony Ressler) to sell perspective additions on the prospects for long-term success. The city is an easy sell. The goal of winning soon is a little more tricky.</p>
<p><strong>New York Knicks</strong></p>
<p>Assuming they do not pick up the Bobby Portis' player option ($15.75 million), New York's committed salary number will drop to roughly $67 million. That provides a heck of a lot of flexibility for new general manager Leon Rose (and new head coach Tom Thibodeau), and the team&rsquo;s braintrust is scheduled to meet in two weeks to map out a free agency plan. The Knicks have won exactly one playoff series in the past 21 seasons, and a significant portion of the fan base has given up on the team, believing sustained success will never come until James Dolan ceases being the owner. But since that is not happening anytime soon, Rose must become a super salesman to free agents later this year -- or a master craftsman in making trades.</p>
<p>There is a school of thought that trading for Chris Paul might be a way to lure Giannis Antetokounmpo in free agency after the 2020-21 season, but The Greek Freak&rsquo;s long-term plans will be impacted more by what changes Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst is able to make on the trade market this season, and he will probably kick the tires on a number of moves. Nearly every player on the Knicks' roster -- aside from RJ Barrett and Julius Randle -- will come off the cap a year from now (New York has only $21 million committed for the 2021-22 season), so free agency after another season of mediocrity is where Rose has to set his sights. But until players are convinced that the Knicks are capable of having a winning culture, they will stay away -- the same way Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving did.</p>
<p><strong>Detroit Pistons</strong></p>
<p>The Pistons were 20-46 last season and traded away Andre Drummond to Cleveland for John Henson, Brandon Knight and a second-round pick, creating an immediate nomination for Head-Scratcher of the Year. Drummond has led the league in rebounding in each of the past three seasons (and four of the past five), and little did the Pistons -- who expected Drummond to leave in free agency -- know how the pandemic would change everything for everyone in the NBA.</p>
<p>Unrestricted free agent Christian Wood should be Drummond's replacement at center if re-signed, but his market value will determine if Detroit brings him back. With Derrick Rose now trade bait on an expiring $7.68 million deal, Detroit currently has only $68 million in committed salary for next season, so there will be new faces joining the team through trades or free agency. Incoming general manager Troy Weaver has waited his whole career for this opportunity, but there is not much young talent there to build around.</p>
<p>The first order of business will be taking the best-available prospect with the No. 7 pick in the draft. As of now, Detroit does not have a second-round pick; it was dealt to Phoenix in the home-run deal that brought Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger to the Pistons back in 2015, but the Sacramento Kings now own that selection. Blake Griffin is on the cap sheet for two more seasons for nearly $76 million as well, so Weaver has his work cut out for him.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Charlotte Hornets</strong></p>
<p>Michael Jordan can do better, one would think. How&rsquo;s this for preposterous: Nicolas Batum will earn $27.13 milllion next season if he picks up his player option. If there is an expression for &ldquo;no brainer&rdquo; in French, it would be fitting here, but at least Jordan can sleep tight at night knowing that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bismack Biyombo will not be getting any more of his money. The Hornets went for Terry Rozier in free agency a season ago, and he responded by averaging 18 points and shooting 40 percent from three-point range.</p>
<p>The two best players on this roster are guards after Devonte' Graham&rsquo;s strong second season, which was largely overlooked by Most Improved Player voters (perhaps because of this franchise&rsquo;s low profile). They are building a young core with P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges at the forward spots, and they now need a center. Montrezl Harrell and Serge Ibaka are <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/ranking-top-10-nba-free-agent-centers-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">among colleague Spencer Davies&rsquo; top-10 free agents</a>, and landing Harrell would be a coup for Jordan. There have been reports that Harrell was among the Los Angeles Clippers players turned off by former coach Doc Rivers&rsquo; load management of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but the hiring of Ty Lue could be the proper fix. Ibaka would be a riskier long-term investment given his age (31). Mitch Kupchak is on the spot this offseason with Charlotte currently sitting on roughly $30 million in cap space.</p>
<p><img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/mitch2_lg.jpg" alt="" width="793" height="AUTO" /></p>
<p><strong>Teams That Could Have Cap Space (Depending On Moves)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Miami Heat</strong></p>
<p>This is where things get very interesting, with a lot of moving parts. Already the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Heat are sitting roughly $28 million under the projected salary cap number (or $41 million if Kelly Olynyk opts out), which means they can probably entice anyone out there to join a team anchored by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo -- and yes, Miami remains enticing in the COVID era. But that cap space is an illusion because the cap holds on Goran Dragic and Jae Crowder prohibit using it unless one or both leave in free agency.</p>
<p>If Dragic and Crowder leave for big money elsewhere, things get interesting because, in addition to the cap space, the Heat have trade chips in Andre Iguodala&rsquo;s expiring $17 million deal and Olynyk's expiring $13.6 million deal. Put the two of them together with a Kendrick Nunn or a Tyler Herro, and the sky is the limit in terms of what can come back in a trade. It remains to be seen what Miami has its eye on short-term (perhaps Victor Oladipo?), but the team is most certainly watching the Giannis situation for the longer-term. Pat Riley is a master recruiter, and let&rsquo;s just say that Miami is a nice place to live even during a pandemic. It should be a very interesting offseason...</p>
<p><strong>New Orleans Pelilcans</strong></p>
<p>First thing's first: They need to hire a coach; then comes the decision on whether to trade Jrue Holiday while his value is sky-high, having just been voted by his peers as the most desirable teammate in the league. The keeps long-term are Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram (the NBA&rsquo;s Most Improved Player) and Lonzo Ball. There is a glaring need for a big man, which is where executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin and general manager Trajan Langdon may look to spend with his cap number currently sitting at $83 million -- unless they makes an uneven trade salary-wise and bring in more money than he sends out in a Holiday trade (this is a scenario looked at in my <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-news-playoffs-finals-milwaukee-bucks-eric-bledsoe-khris-middleton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khris Middleton/Eric Bledsoe column</a>).</p>
<p>The Pelicans' cap situation will depend on a couple of things. The first is Brandon Ingram, who is a restricted free agent with the ability to sign an offer sheet anywhere (but New Orleans has the ability to match any deal). The Pels were also one of the NBA&rsquo;s top-six rebounding teams last season, but Derrick Favors is an unrestricted free agent after averaging nearly 10 boards per game, which led the team. If they choose to re-sign him, their cap space is illusory because Favors&rsquo; cap holds eats it all up. If he leaves, New Orleans is right behind Miami on the list of Best Cities In Which To Ride Out a Pandemic.</p>
<p><strong>Phoenix Suns</strong></p>
<p>The beasts of the bubble (8-0) looked fantastic in Lake Buena Vista, FL, so maintain a healthy skepticism of rumors out there that Devin Booker could be traded to Minnesota for the No. 1 pick. Suns general manager James Jones has a nice young core in place with Booker, Deandre Ayton, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges; two factors that will impact their cap space is whether they tender a qualifying offer of $4.8 million to Dario Saric and whether they pick up the team option on Frank Kaminsky&rsquo;s $5 million option.</p>
<p>Phoenix had seven double-digit scorers last season led by Booker&rsquo;s 26.6 points per game, and their performance in the bubble made folks wonder whether the NBA should have included a play-in contingency plan for a team that outperformed expectations. As it was, they got squeezed. If Saric, Kaminsky (and Cameron Payne) are kept, the team's cap space shrinks to roughly zero when also accounting for the No. 10 pick in the draft. They are a work in progress, building to be a legit contender as this young core has another year together. Adding another piece with all or part of the $9.3 million mid-level exception, if it does not create luxury-tax problems, seems the most likely route.</p>
<p><em>Note: The cap and tax levels have not yet been set.</em></p>

Chris Sheridan dives into the teams in the NBA with the most cap space and what they are positioned to do this offseason.

N.J.