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Ethan Fuller analyzes the NBA landscape amid a period of astounding parity.

NBA Sour Rankings: When do we panic?

Ethan Fuller takes a look at how the James Harden trade and other weekly events have affected the NBA landscape.

NBA Sour Rankings: Life After a Blockbuster

With the 2020 NBA Draft just two weeks away, our Matt Babcock updated his mock draft and provided his thoughts on each player. Some of the risers include Kira Lewis Jr. (Alabama) and Zeke Nnaji (Arizona), while some of the fallers include Aleksej Pokusevski (Olympiacos) and Leandro Bolmaro (FC Barcelona):
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
At 6'5" and a strong 225 pounds, Anthony Edwards has perhaps the most upside in this year's draft. Edwards' raw talent was on full display at the Maui Invitational in November when he scored 33 points in one half versus Michigan State. Although he has significant room for growth in regards to his overall maturity as a player, his uncanny ability to hit tough shots from all over the court gives him the potential to be a special player.
2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Although James Wiseman is 7'1" and 240 pounds with an impressive 7'6" wingspan, he should not be considered a throwback, big-bodied center (which is somewhat of a dying breed). Instead, Wiseman is extremely athletic for a player his size. He also has an underrated skill level, and he can be a major contributor for a team right off the bat. That&rsquo;s why he is the first big man off the board.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Onyeka Okongwu, C/PF, USC
Commonly referred to as the "Big O," Onyeka Okongwu had a terrific freshman campaign for the USC Trojans, averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He's an undersized center that can serve as a defensive anchor for a team. He's also a legitimate scoring threat who's capable of displaying fancy footwork and a soft touch with both hands around the rim. He's extremely strong and explosive, which allows him to be an effective rim protector and powerful finisher. Comparisons to the Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo have been drawn regularly for good reason.
4. Chicago Bulls: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
The youngest brother of the Ball family, LaMelo comes to the NBA with lofty expectations. At 6'7", Ball has terrific size for a point guard. He has the ball on a string and a knack to make spectacular plays. Despite concerns of immaturity, Ball's talent is undeniable -- look for him to be the first point guard taken in the 2020 NBA Draft.
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5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton
After not receiving an invite to the NBA Draft Combine following his freshman season, Obi Toppin returned to Dayton for his sophomore year and he put on a show from start to finish, subsequently being named the National College Player of the Year. At 6'9", Toppin is a high-flyer who throws down jaw-dropping dunks reminiscent of former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire. He's also a capable outside shooter, as he shot a stellar 39% from three-point range. Already 22 years old, Toppin is probably the most NBA-ready player in the draft and could be considered an early favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
6. Atlanta Hawks: Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
A product of the famed Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, Deni Avdija has already gained valuable professional experience in the Euroleague (the best league in the world outside of the NBA). At 6'9", Avdija is extremely versatile as a hybrid forward and he's also a capable ballhandler and playmaker who is deceptively athletic. In a draft with significant international talent, Avdija is certainly the cream of the crop.
7. Detroit Pistons: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
After entering his freshman season at Alabama as the second-youngest Division-I player in the country (at 17 years old), he returned for his sophomore season and did not disappoint. Perhaps the fastest player in the draft, Lewis Jr. averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game this past season for the Crimson Tide. Comparisons have been drawn to former NBA player Darren Collison.
8. New York Knicks: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
Perhaps the best overall athlete in the entire NBA draft, Isaac Okoro steps into the NBA from Auburn with a reputation of being an exceptional defender that's capable of defending multiple positions effectively. Although he possesses a relatively simple game on the offensive end, he does have a good feel for how to play. If he is able to improve his outside shooting, watch out; Okoro could end up being a big-time player.
9. Washington Wizards: Devin Vassell, SG/SF, Florida State
Devin Vassell is a long wing that is capable of playing the shooting guard or small forward positions, effectively. On the offensive end, he reminds me of Jeremy Lamb of the Indiana Pacers. He's a capable shooter from outside, has a good mid-range game, and can finish around the rim as well.&nbsp; On the defensive end, he uses his length and instincts to be a high level defender. Overall, Vassell is a solid, well-rounded player, that does not make many mistakes. He would be easy to plug into just about any team's roster.
10. Phoenix Suns: Killian Hayes, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm
After playing in France for years, Killian Hayes decided to move to Germany this last year to play for Ratiopharm Ulm - a decision that certainly paid off, as Hayes took a major step in his development, progressing as a playmaker and scorer. With good size for a point guard at 6'5", whichever team lands the left-handed Hayes should be able to pencil him in as their point guard of the future. If he's able to continue to develop his outside shooting, the future could be extremely bright for Hayes.
11. San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Williams, PF/SF, Florida State
Patrick Williams had somewhat of an up-and-down freshman year for the Florida State Seminoles, but the hybrid forward oozes talent and upside. He's a capable shooter from outside, a strong finisher at the rim and a versatile defender. Williams fits the modern style of basketball, as he's able to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions. It remains to be seen if he will be able to contribute at a high level early on in his NBA career, but if he develops properly, he could be one of the better players in this year's draft in a few years.
12. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Nesmith, SF/SG, Vanderbilt
Aaron Nesmith is likely the best shooter in this year's draft. Prior to a season-ending foot injury in January, Nesmith dazzled with his shooting performances, averaging 23 points per game while shooting 52.2% from three-point range in 14 games for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He's from the same high school as NBA All-Star Khris Middleton in Charleston, South Carolina.
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13. New Orleans Pelicans: Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Iowa State
After averaging 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game for the Iowa State Cyclones this past season, Tyrese Haliburton will look to contribute right away in the NBA. At 6'5", Haliburton is capable of playing on or off the ball effectively. He has an extremely high basketball IQ and simply does not make many mistakes. Although he shoots the ball with extremely unorthodox mechanics, he knocks them down from deep at a high rate, shooting 41.9% from three-point range last year. He certainly needs to get stronger, as he is only a thin 175 pounds. But he should be a solid NBA player, at the very least.
14. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Stewart II, C/PF, Washington
At 6'9" and 250 pounds of muscle with a 7'4" wingspan, Isaiah Stewart II is a physical specimen and a brute. He would (and could) run through a brick wall, if needed. In his lone season at Washington, he averaged 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Despite being utilized purely as a low-post scorer this past season, he has shown signs of having the potential to shoot the ball well from outside - a much desired attribute in today's NBA. One example: He shot 77.4% from the free-throw line.
15. Orlando Magic: RJ Hampton, SG/PG, New Zealand Breakers
After skipping college to play for the New Zealand Breakers, R.J. Hampton enters this year's draft as one of the players with the most upside. Although not a finished product, Hampton has the burst and athleticism that's seen in many star players. If he is able to develop his point guard skills, outside shooting and overall feel for the game, he could end up being a steal for whichever team selects him.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Villanova
Jay Wright's list of Villanova alumni who have had productive NBA careers continues to grow and Saddiq Bey seems to be the next in line. He's a 6'8" forward that is well-rounded, dependable and, most importantly, a high-level shooter, which was on display during his sophomore season when he scored 16.1 points per game while shooting 45.1% from three-point range. He also defended the opposing team's best player on a regular basis.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Zeke Nnaji, PF/C, Arizona
In his lone season for the Arizona Wildcats, Zeke Nnaji posted an impressive 16.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Pac-12 and Freshman of the Year honors. At the Combine, Nnaji measured in at 6'10" without shoes and 247.8 pounds, with a 7'2" wingspan and a 38" max vertical. Nnaji <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-draft-prospect-zeke-nnaji-arizona-wildcats-q-and-a-pac-12-basketball?fbclid=IwAR3LerQY7oOuFEQ0ZLYNmkus_sSxCYphs2l0TzJqc69ymtcZmrdWKZDpOPo">recently spoke with BasketballNews.com</a> about his game, his regimented lifestyle, why teams should pick him, his off-court interests and more.
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18. Dallas Mavericks: Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis
Initially, Precious Achiuwa was expected to play the majority of his minutes at power forward alongside big man James Wiseman. However, when Wiseman left the team, Achiuwa took over the big man duties and delivered. The chiseled Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, earning him AAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.
19.&nbsp;Brooklyn Nets: Jaden McDaniels, SF, Washington
Possessing terrific length for a wing at 6'9", Jaden McDaniels' versatility and playmaking abilities on both ends of the court are extremely intriguing. If he is able to get stronger and mature properly, he could be well-worth the risk, as his upside is nearly as high as any other player in the draft.
20. Miami Heat: Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State
After transferring from Washington State to San Diego State, point guard Malachi Flynn led the Aztecs to a spectacular 30-2 record. After averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game, Flynn was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Flynn <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-rumors-2020-draft-malachi-flynn-san-diego-state-aztecs-matt-babcock-analysis-interview-chris-paul">recently spoke with BasketballNews.com</a> about his game, his collegiate career, his goals, the NBA players whom he&rsquo;s modeled his game after and more.
21. Philadelphia 76ers: Cole Anthony, PG/SG, North Carolina
The son of former NBA player Greg Anthony, Cole entered North Carolina for his freshman season with lofty expectations after being touted as one of the top players in his high-school class. Despite an up-and-down season, Anthony is an aggressive and dynamic scorer, which he displayed by averaging 18.5 points per game in 22 contests for the Tar Heels.&nbsp;
22. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland
At 6'10" with a 7'2" wingspan, Jalen "Stix" Smith does two things very well: he blocks shots and shoots the ball from outside -- certainly a unique combination, which has NBA teams intrigued. After returning to Maryland for his sophomore season, he averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 36.8% from three-point range.
23. Utah Jazz: Elijah Hughes, SF/SG, Syracuse
An unheralded recruit out of high school and a subsequent East Carolina transfer, Elijah Hughes emerged as a star player for the Syracuse Orange during his junior season. Possessing solid size for a wing and the ability to make shots from all over the court as well as put the ball on the floor, Hughes should make a smooth transition to the NBA.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Cassius Stanley, SG/SF, Duke
After playing as a combo guard in high school, Cassius Stanley was asked by Coach K to fill a more limited role during his freshman season at Duke, utilizing his electric athleticism in transition and focusing on spreading the floor as a spot-up shooter. His combination of elite athleticism and the ability to make shots off catch-and-shoot opportunities make him an intriguing option as a role player in the NBA (at the very least). If he develops when it comes to creating off the dribble, his value could increase dramatically.
25.&nbsp;Oklahoma City Thunder: Aleksej Pokusevski, PF/C, Olympiacos
Having displayed an incredibly high skill level this past season with the junior team of Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, Aleksej Pokusevski has caused quite a stir among NBA scouts. Standing 7-feet tall and a frail 200 pounds, "Poku" is the youngest prospect in this year's draft (and younger than many high-school seniors) at just 18 years old. He is certainly a player who falls into the category of "high-risk, high-reward," which is why he's somewhat of a polarizing prospect in terms of his draft value.
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26. Boston Celtics: Tyrese Maxey, SG/PG, Kentucky
A top-10 RSCI prospect, Tyrese Maxey was Kentucky's second-leading scorer with 14.0 points per game. At 6'3" and 200 pounds, he has a well-developed frame, although he's a bit undersized for a shooting guard. Still, he was solid at getting to the rim. He struggled from three-point range (relative to expectations) at 29 percent.
27. New York Knicks: Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
After being ranked 88th in his high-school class, Tyrell Terry surprised everyone by posting an impressive freshman campaign at Stanford and subsequently declaring for the NBA draft. Considered to be one of the best shooters in this year's draft, Terry converted 41% from three-point range this past season. His high skill level and ability to shoot the ball has generated quite a buzz among scouts; however, due to his thin frame and lack of physicality, some concerns and questions have been raised as well.
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Green, SG/SF, Arizona
A top recruit coming out of high school, Green is a plus athlete and defensive stopper with good size for a wing. In his freshman year at Arizona, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
29. Toronto Raptors: Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke
Although a bit of a throwback as a big-bodied center at 6'10" and 270 pounds, Vernon Carey Jr. had an effective freshman season for the Duke Blue Devils, as he averaged 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Some questions have been raised about his inconsistent motor. However, his talent remains intriguing.
30. Boston Celtics: Leandro Bolmaro, SG/PG, FC Barcelona
After logging legitimate Euroleague and ACB minutes this past season with FC Barcelona in Spain, the 6'7" Argentinian guard has slowly but surely moved up draft boards. Although it is unlikely that he will be coming to the NBA right away due to him extending his contract with his current club, Bolmaro could still get consideration from teams selecting in the first round.
Matt Babcock is the owner and founder of <a href="babcockhoops.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Babcock Hoops</a>, which features in-depth scouting reports, prospect interviews and more. He is also a contributor for BasketballNews.com. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/news/authors/matt-babcock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out more of his 2020 NBA Draft coverage here</a>.
Also, tune in to BasketballNews.com's Virtual Watch Party on the night of the 2020 NBA Draft (Nov. 18). Our live-stream will feature top analysts, NBA players and more special guests!

With the 2020 NBA Draft just two weeks away, Matt Babcock shares his updated mock draft. Find out who's rising and who's falling!

Matt Babcock's updated 2020 NBA mock draft (11/3): Who's rising?

Virginia hasn&rsquo;t won an NCAA Tournament game since its 2019 national title and failed to even make the field last season.
The return of five starters should enable the Cavaliers to change that trend.
&ldquo;This probably is the oldest team maybe that I&rsquo;ve had,&rdquo; coach Tony Bennett said as he enters his 14th season at Virginia.
Virginia is 18th in the Associated Press preseason Top 25, making the Cavaliers the highest-ranked team that isn&rsquo;t coming off an NCAA Tournament berth.
The Cavaliers went 21-14 and reached the NIT quarterfinals last season. That followed a 2020-21 season in which Virginia earned a No. 4 seed in its region but lost to Ohio in the opening round of the tournament.
Virginia has the pieces in place to make a deeper run this season.
The Cavaliers return three double-digit scorers from last season in preseason second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection Jayden Gardner (15.3), Armaan Franklin (11.1) and Kihei Clark (10.0). Clark and Gardner are graduate students, while Franklin is a senior.
Virginia also brought in Ohio transfer Ben Vander Plas, who had 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds for his former school last season. Vander Plas scored 17 points in Ohio&rsquo;s NCAA Tournament upset of Virginia two seasons ago.
&ldquo;Last year our depth wasn&rsquo;t great and we probably didn&rsquo;t shoot the ball at the level we needed to, so we tried to improve in those areas,&rdquo; Bennett said. &ldquo;But experience is golden, I think, in college basketball. And we have that.&rdquo;
Some other programs that have reason to believe they can get back into the NCAA Tournament in March after failing to make it last season:
No. 24 DAYTON
2021-22 record: 24-11 (14-4 Atlantic 10); NIT second round
Notes: Dayton is ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 for just the third time in program history. The Flyers return all five starters, including 2022 Atlantic 10 rookie of the year DaRon Holmes II. Dayton failed to reach the NCAA Tournament despite beating eventual national champion Kansas during the year.
FLORIDA STATE
2021-22 record: 17-14 (10-10 ACC)
Florida State had advanced to at least the Sweet 16 in three straight NCAA Tournaments before struggling through a disappointing 2021-22 season. The Seminoles return their top two scorers from last season in Caleb Mills (12.7) and Matthew Cleveland (11.5). They also brought in three top-100 recruits, though 6-11 freshman center Baba Miller will miss the first 16 games of the season for a travel payment that was ruled an NCAA violation.
No. 21 OREGON
2021-22 record: 20-15 (11-9 Pac-12); NIT second round
Notes: Will Richardson is back after scoring 14.7 points per game and earning second-team all-Pac-12 honors last season. Other returning starters include Quincy Guerrier and N&rsquo;Faly Dante. The Ducks are hoping that experience helps them avoid a repeat of their late slide from last year, when they dropped eight of their final 12 games.
SAINT LOUIS
2021-22 record: 23-12 (12-6 Atlantic 10); NIT first round
Notes: Yuri Collins led all Division I players with 7.9 assists per game and can distribute to a couple of talented scorers. Gibson Jimerson ranked third in the Atlantic 10 with 16.3 points per game last season. Saint Louis also welcomes back Javonte Perkins, who had 17.1 points per game in 2020-21 before missing last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
TEXAS A&amp;M
2021-22 record: 27-13 (9-9 SEC); NIT runner-up
Notes: Texas A&amp;M coach Buzz Williams criticized the selection committee last season after his team got left out of the field. The Aggies won&rsquo;t have to sweat out Selection Sunday if they can build on the momentum they established late last season, when they won 11 of their final 13 games. They return two double-figure scorers from the 2021-22 team in Henry Coleman (11.0) and Tyrece Radford (10.9).
XAVIER
2021-22 record: 23-13 (8-11 Big East): NIT champion
Notes: Xavier played its way out of NCAA Tournament consideration last year by dropping six of its last seven games before the bracket announcement. The Musketeers then bounced back by winning five straight to claim the NIT title. Colby Jones was named the NIT&rsquo;s most outstanding player last season. Jones and teammate Jack Nunge received preseason first-team all-Big East honors from the league&rsquo;s coaches.

Virginia is 18th in the AP preseason Top 25, making the Cavaliers the highest-ranked team not coming off an NCAA Tournament berth.

7 teams who are seeking NCAA bids they didn’t get last year

CHICAGO &ndash; The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) and Intersport announced details for the inaugural Legends of Basketball Showcase, a college basketball quadruple header set for Dec. 17 at the United Center in Chicago.
As part of the four-game set, Northern Iowa will face Towson and Tulane will take on George Mason, while Dayton matches up against Wyoming and NC State will battle Vanderbilt. In the afternoon session, Northern Iowa will face Towson at Noon CT and Tulane will take on George Mason at 2:30 p.m., while the evening session will feature Dayton matching up against Wyoming at 7 p.m. and NC State battling Vanderbilt at 9:30 p.m. Television designations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the Legends of Basketball Showcase, a college basketball quadruple header set for Dec. 17 at the United Center in Chicago, will go on sale Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the United Center box office. &nbsp; Tickets, which start at $29, will be sold by session, and one ticket will be good for both games of a session.&nbsp;
Founded in 1992, the NBRPA serves former professional basketball players in their transition into life after basketball. &nbsp;The NBRPA is the only alumni association of its kind supported directly by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
&ldquo;The NBRPA is thrilled to partner with Intersport to present the Legends of Basketball Showcase for the upcoming college basketball season,&rdquo; said Scott Rochelle, President &amp; CEO NBRPA. &ldquo;With NBRPA membership, including several executive board directors having deep ties to the participating college basketball programs, this event is a natural fit for us to bring to fruition. We look forward, to what promises to be an extraordinary day and night of top-notch college hoops entertainment.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Intersport is excited to partner with the NBRPA and help them extend their already well-established presence in the basketball community,&rdquo; said Mark Starsiak, vice president of basketball at Intersport, which will manage the event. &ldquo;As we continue to grow our robust portfolio of successful basketball events around the country, we are eager to create a major annual showcase event alongside another Chicago-based organization right here in our hometown.&rdquo;
The eight programs competing in the Legends of Basketball Showcase have produced a combined 204 NBA Draft selections, while several coaches participating in the event have connections to the NBRPA, and vice versa.
At the helm of Vanderbilt is 18-year NBA veteran Jerry Stackhouse, the former No. 3 overall draft pick and two-time All-Star who appeared in 970 games for eight teams. Wyoming assistant coach Shaun Vandiver is a former first-round pick (25th overall) by the Golden State Warriors in the 1991 NBA Draft. George Mason head coach Kim English was drafted in the 2nd Round (44th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons and Northern Iowa assistant coach Seth Tuttle played for the Miami Heat&rsquo;s Summer League team in 2015.
NBRPA Board Chairman Johnny Davis is a Dayton alum, leading the Flyers in scoring for three consecutive seasons (1973-76) before spending nearly four decades with the NBA as a player, front office executive, assistant and head coach. Additionally, two NBRPA Board Members are NC State alums. Thurl Bailey, who led the Wolfpack in both scoring and rebounding during the team&rsquo;s miracle 1983 NCAA Championship season before embarking on a 13-season NBA career, and Chucky Brown, who led NC State in scoring in 1988 (16.6 ppg) and rebounding in 1989 season (8.8 rpg).
It will be the first matchup between Northern Iowa and Towson and the third between Tulane and George Mason, with the teams splitting the prior two contests. Dayton and Wyoming have also met twice previously, with Dayton winning in December 2004 and Wyoming winning in January 2004. The contest between NC State and Vanderbilt will be the sixth all time, with the Commodores owning a 3-2 edge in the series. Each of the previous three matchups have been neutral site contests, with NC State winning the last matchup in 2018.

The inaugural Legends of Basketball Showcase will be a college basketball quadruple header set for Dec. 17 at the United Center.

Inaugural Legends of Basketball Showcase set for Dec. 17 in Chicago

As we continue on through &ldquo;Bet Week&rdquo; on BasketballNews.com, we&rsquo;re combining two awards into one breakdown, as NBA Sixth Man of the Year and Coach of the Year go under the microscope next.
Which names stand out as the best bets? And what are some potential underdog fliers that could pay huge dividends at the end of the season? Let&rsquo;s dive into it with odds provided by DraftKings.
Sixth Man of the Year Best Bet: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat (+500)
Tied atop the odds leaderboard alongside Golden State Warriors breakout star Jordan Poole, Tyler Herro put together a very strong case to repeat in this category. Not only is Herro a key cog to the Heat&rsquo;s well-oiled machine, but he fits within his role off the bench so well.
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On his way to winning 6MOY last season, Herro averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists on a 56.1% True Shooting percentage. Herro not only took the needed steps forward in his own career trajectory, but he once again is a swing element to Miami&rsquo;s formula for success in 2022-23. With the Heat looking likely to run it back with the majority of their rotation, plenty of offensive burden remains on Herro&rsquo;s shoulders.
If the Heat finish near the top of the Eastern Conference standings as expected, Herro&rsquo;s opportunity to repeat is right there for the taking with maintained statistics.
Sixth Man of the Year Dark-Horse Bet: Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns (+2500)
Cameron Johnson was a finalist last season for this award, but it still seems like his impressive third-year campaign fell a little too far under the radar. Off the bench spelling Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder as Phoenix&rsquo;s third wing, Johnson averaged 12.5 points while shooting 42.5% from three-point range. A valuable marksman within the Suns&rsquo; formidable rotation, Johnson enters a contract year where a lot of potential scoring possessions will be available to the most aggressive player.
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Devin Booker and Chris Paul still control the offense in Phoenix, but who will step as the consistent third option? Deandre Ayton should be that focal point following a max contract, but Johnson has continuously shown he can pour in points when given the ultimate green light. Suns head coach Monty Williams values Johnson&rsquo;s underrated two-way game, so expect him to hover around starter-like minutes anyways.
Kevin Durant&rsquo;s looming trade saga plays a massive role here too. If Durant comes to the Valley, this is all for naught with Johnson likely off to the Brooklyn Nets. However, the longer this drags out, it feels inevitable that Phoenix runs it all back and sees what happens. If so, keep an eye on Johnson taking another step forward.
Coach of the Year Best Bet: Ime Udoka, Boston Celtics (+700)
Following a rough start, there&rsquo;s no denying Ime Udoka rallied this group together for a magical NBA Finals run. Now, with an even stronger roster, Boston is poised to stay atop the East standings. For Udoka, he already has support to be an easy, shoo-in COY favorite. If the Celtics can repeat their success while avoiding any costly injuries, Udoka&rsquo;s chances should be high.
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And a special kudos to former Celtics head-coach-turned-executive Brad Stevens, because he made Udoka&rsquo;s job so much easier with this projected rotation:
Starting Lineup: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams
Second Unit: Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Danilo Gallinari, Grant Williams
Health-permitting, Udoka and the Celtics own a realistic pathway to nabbing multiple season-ending awards.
Coach of the Year Dark-Horse Bet = Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat (+1400)
Similar to the argument presented for the favorite in Udoka, don&rsquo;t sleep on the Heat staying in the East&rsquo;s elite tier. Even without a potential Durant acquisition, Miami&rsquo;s roster is still fortified enough where 50-plus wins should be attainable.
Already known as one of the league&rsquo;s best tacticians, Erik Spoelstra leading Miami to the peak of the East standings would put him in a great spot to secure yet another COY honor. Miami is always a team that can sneak up on people, especially from a betting perspective. Don&rsquo;t let that happen with an underrated offseason wrapping up for the Heat, which, as shown, can propel them to multiple pole positions on awards.
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For all the latest NBA betting trends, spreads, props and more, check out Basketball News' betting podcast "Nothing But Bets."</a>
Also, check out: "<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/best-bets-on-202223-nba-rookie-of-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best bets to win the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award</a>" and "<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/best-bets-to-win-the-202223-nba-most-improved-player-award-anthony-edwards-tyrese-haliburton-evan-mobley" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best bets to win the 2022-23 NBA Most Improved Player award.</a>"

Which names stand out most for award races involving NBA Sixth Man of the Year and Coach of the Year? Evan Sidery breaks it down.

Best bets: 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Coach of the Year awards

When looking through the NBA standings, one team continues to show no signs of slowing down as a team officially taking the leap forward to sustainable playoff contender. The Memphis Grizzlies are breaking through their ceiling ahead of schedule, thanks in large part to point guard Ja Morant taking the leap to superstardom in his third season.
Thankfully, basketball fans weren&rsquo;t robbed of what could&rsquo;ve been a special season from Morant early on in the 2021-22 season with what looked to be a more serious knee injury.
Six weeks ago, Morant landed awkwardly on his left knee resulting in a sprain. In real-time, it looked way worse when remembering catastrophic injuries in the past with lower extremities. Morant stutter-stepped on a drive to the rim, which caused a non-contact buckling of his knee. In his absence, Memphis stayed afloat in the Western Conference as their young core carried the burden, spearheaded by late first-round steal Desmond Bane, who continues to look the part of a perfect backcourt complement alongside Morant.
Memphis is 25-14, comfortably sitting as the No. 4 seed in the West. As Morant&rsquo;s ascension continues full steam ahead, it&rsquo;s time to realize how strong this Grizzlies team is positioned both now and long-term.
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Morant is the straw that stirs the drink on Beale Street in Memphis, but the Grizzlies are a team littered with enticing pieces fitting together seamlessly on the fly. Bane is averaging 17.4 points per game while carrying an above-average 58.5% True Shooting percentage, boosted by his three-point marksmanship.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is taking strides forward in Year 4 after losing a full season to his own knee injury suffered in the 2020 Orlando Bubble. He's averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
After a short stint with the Phoenix Suns, De&rsquo;Anthony Melton has found a home in Memphis as an energizer third guard who brings endless amounts of two-way versatility. Dillon Brooks still remains as a key cog in the Grizzlies&rsquo; machine when he&rsquo;s been on the court this season, averaging 19.3 points per game himself.
The Grizzlies&rsquo; front office has consistently taken flyers on productive, high-upside college prospects and maximized on signing castoffs. Case in point with former Minnesota Timberwolves lottery pick Jarrett Culver. Memphis has continuously hit on second-round picks as well, with Xavier Tillman and Killian Tillie carving out roles. Last summer's No. 10 overall pick Ziaire Williams is working his way into the mix and could be a future asset to the Grizzlies&rsquo; successful rise in the West.
Add it all together and the Grizzlies are nowhere close to a mirage. If anything, they are just now beginning their climb in the Western Conference for years to come. Aided by a superstar in Morant, a valuable collection of successful young role-players who can fill multiple avenues of on-court value, stabilizing veteran presences like center Steven Adams, Memphis has hit the jackpot.
Morant has been everything the Grizzlies hoped for when they found their own lottery luck and jumped up to the second spot in the 2019 NBA Draft. Morant was a fast-paced, jaw-dropping offensive engine who provided endless highlight reel moments during his two collegiate seasons at Murray State. A meteoric rise in his sophomore season led to some even debating him alongside surefire No. 1 pick Zion Williamson.
Morant immediately showed during his rookie season how special of a player he was. Fast-forward to now, though, he&rsquo;s beginning to really take hold of being one of the best young lead guards in the Association.
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Morant is averaging 25.1 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals while taking a superstar-esque jump from the perimeter, shooting 40.0% on three-pointers. It&rsquo;s resulted in Morant&rsquo;s True Shooting percentage skyrocketing to a career-best 57.7% this season. When Morant has been on the court, Memphis is 15-12. He&rsquo;s not only carrying this Grizzlies squad, but taking the leap in the process.
As a true three-level scorer with rare explosive burst to the basket, Morant is a gem in the backcourt. When comparing him around the Association, his unique scoring blend makes him a nearly unstoppable weapon to contain. After an adjustment period returning from his sprained left knee, Morant is averaging an eye-popping 33.2 points over his last five games.
The Grizzlies are winning with a superstar buoying their offense, but the defense is there in more consistent spurts as well. Memphis ranks No. 7 in offensive rating (111.7) while being smack dab in the middle of the league in defensive rating (108.7). It&rsquo;s a sustainable formula head coach Taylor Jenkins is firing off on a nightly basis, which makes Memphis a real threat to nab a top-five seed this season.
When the Grizzlies snuck into the playoffs last season after defeating Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, it provided much-needed playoff experience despite a quick first-round exit against the top-seeded Utah Jazz. Memphis not only came back stronger with internal development success stories across the board, but they found their weaknesses and turned them into passable grades.
It will be very interesting to see what the Grizzlies now do with a month left before February&rsquo;s trade deadline. Will they make a win-now move to further bolster their chances of securing homecourt advantage in April? It&rsquo;s a serious discussion to be had and could continue during the upcoming offseason.
Everything is falling into place for Memphis after a few down years following the successful Grit &rsquo;N Grind era. Now, a new era of Grizzlies basketball is thriving, with a completely different identity built around fast-paced play and relentless offensive firepower. They have a full-blown budding superstar in Morant alongside multiple young players who are taking leaps to serious starting quality as well.
Welcome back to playoff basketball, Memphis. You won't be leaving anytime soon.

After a few down years, a new era of Memphis Grizzlies basketball is taking the NBA world by storm with no signs of slowing down.

The Grizzlies are the NBA's latest rebuild success story

Nekias Duncan previews the Pacific Division for the 2021-22 NBA season.

2021-22 NBA Season Preview: Pacific Divison

The next NBA season is drawing nearer, and 95% of the offseason business is complete. We still await news on <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-freeagency-destinations-for-lauri-markkanen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what team Lauri Markannen will play for</a>, and at a certain point, Sam Presti has to reduce his stockpile of draft picks over the next several years.
(The bet here is that he packages as many of them as possible to the team/teams most likely to be in the lottery next year, so that he can increase his chances of landing Gonzaga recruit Chet Holmgren with the No. 1 pick.)
With sports gambling now legal in roughly half of the United States, and coming soon to a bunch of remaining states, it is time for a look at what types of odds are out there on a bunch of different NBA wagers.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;re going to take this team-by-team on this particular Monday, because summer is a time for hope, and hoping for the best is what gets us through all 30 in the NBA. So let's begin.
ATLANTA HAWKS: After the Hawks took a bow at Madison Square Garden following their takedown of the Knicks, we can only wonder what is next for Trae Young. His scoring average actually dropped last season by 4.3 points to 25.3 points per game, but we know he is capable of being a 30-point scorer. If he were to do that, and the Hawks were to improve significantly on last season&rsquo;s 41-31 record, the kid will be in the MVP discussion. Right now his odds range from (+1800) at DraftKings Sportsbook to (+2100) at FanDuel. Also, Nate McMillan is (+1500) to (+1600) to win Coach of the Year.
BOSTON CELTICS: With Brad Stevens now running the front office, Al Horford manning the middle again and Dennis Schroder coming in as a capable backup point guard &mdash; Marcus Smart reportedly is <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/08/celtics-reportedly-plan-to-start-marcus-smart-at-point-guard-and-they-should/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expected to be the starter</a> &mdash; this is a transitional year for the Celtics, who are listed at 40-1 to win the championship after their .500 (36-36) finish last season. Ime Udoka has been named the 18th coach in the franchise&rsquo;s 75-year history, and coincidentally, he is 18-1 to win Coach of the Year. Jayson Tatum is among the MVP favorites, with the best odds (+3300) available at PointsBet.com.
BROOKLYN NETS: These guys are favored for just about everything, and with good reason. Kyrie Irving and James Harden are expected back healthy, Kevin Durant just won his third Olympic gold medal and Patty Mills has been brought aboard from the San Antonio Spurs. Steve Nash is the co-favorite along with Erik Spolestra for Coach of the Year, and Harden is favored to lead the league in assists. Cam Thomas, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/did-the-nets-get-a-steal-in-no-27-overall-pick-cam-thomas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the co-MVP of Summer League</a>, has been added to the Rookie of the Year wagering slate with odds all over the board; 60-1 at FanDuel is quite enticing.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS: The team with the reigning Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball, had somewhat of a quiet offseason, but made a deal on draft night to acquire Mason Plumlee. The 31-year-old slots in as Charlotte's new starting center. Plumlee was under the radar last season playing in Detroit, but was ranked 64th in VORP (Value Over Replacement Player), just behind Kelly Olynyk and ahead of Jarrett Allen. The Duke grad averaged 10.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Plumlee is 200-1 at PointsBet to lead the NBA in rebounding, and despite the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr., PJ Washington can be found at 100-1 odds for Most Improved Player.
CHICAGO BULLS: We told you Saturday that <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/over-chicago-bulls-win-total-getting-most-action-at-draftkings-sportsbook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bettors are pounding the Bulls on the season win total Over/Under</a> like no other NBA team, because big things are expected from the team that acquired Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. There are two enticing wagers here. Patrick Williams, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/chicago-bulls-evolved-patrick-williams-offensive-game-at-nba-summer-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entering his second season</a> after averaging 9.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a rookie, is 100-1 for Most Improved Player at PointsBet.com. And Billy Donovan, about to enter his second season at the helm, is 10-1 for Coach of the Year at DraftKings, putting him just behind Steve Nash and Erik Spoelstra (both 9-1).
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Jarrett Allen ranked 13th in defensive rebounds and 10th in blocks last season. His defensive win share stats are low, but he will be playing a full season with the Cavs after signing long-term in the offseason, and a bump in rebounds from the 9.9 boards he averaged in 51 games for the Cavs last season could get him into the Defensive Player of the Year debate. He is 40-1 at PointsBet for Defensive Player of the Year and 30-1 to lead the league in rebounds.
DALLAS MAVERICKS: Perhaps Jason Kidd can find a way for Luka Doncic (the consensus MVP favorite) and Kristaps Porzingis to thrive together in a loaded Western Conference. Kidd is 15-1 to win Coach of the Year, but the most intriguing wager here is Moses Brown &mdash; who played with Oklahoma City last season before being traded this offseason to Boston and rerouted to Dallas &mdash; to lead the league in rebounding. Yes, Luka Doncic normally leads the Mavs in boards, so this is like the ultimate flyer bet. But if it hits, those who took Moses at (+7000) could name their new boat &ldquo;Mark Cuban bought me this yacht.&rdquo;&nbsp; (Clint Capela of Atlanta is the rebounding favorite, by the way). Doncic is second behind Bradley Beal to lead the NBA in scoring, and fourth behind James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Trae Young to lead the league in assists (+600).
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DENVER NUGGETS: Nikola Jokic is the defending MVP, but is not the favorite (Doncic is) to win Most Valuable Player this season. Michael Porter Jr. is the favorite for Most Improved Player; in my opinion, Porter should have received stronger consideration last year. If you like players with the same first and last name, Bol Bol is almost dead last on the futures page for Most Improved Player at PointsBet with odds of (+100000). Only Andrew Wiggins (+250000) has longer odds.
DETROIT PISTONS: For obvious reasons, Cade Cunningham is the top choice for Rookie of the Year. But that race is up for grabs, as a good young player on a terrible team can break out over the course of the regular season and outperform someone who was taken quite a few spots higher. This is one of the few awards where a team&rsquo;s final record plays little role in who wins the award. It is purely stat-driven. For that reason, look for players whose time on the floor is high. Signed by Detroit this summer, Kelly Olynyk was a beast for the Houston Rockets after they acquired him from Miami, and he should get lots of burn behind Isaiah Stewart at center and Jerami Grant at power forward. That makes him an enticing pick for Sixth Man of the Year at odds of 66-1 at PointsBet.com.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Before the NBA rechristened it Most Improved Player, the award was known as Comeback Player of the Year. And if that was still the case, all we would be discussing in this category would be Klay Thompson, who is two seasons removed from playing competitive hoops. None of the major U.S sportsbooks even list him in that category, but FanDuel has him at (+150000) for Most Valuable player. Nobody is listing odds on James Wiseman for Most Improved, and in Rookie of the Year odds, Jonathan Kuminga is listed highest at Fan Duel at (+3400). Moses Moody is (+6600) at PointsBet.com.
HOUSTON ROCKETS: Jalen Suggs is second behind Cunningham for Rookie of the Year, and Kevin Porter Jr. is on the board for Most Improved Player at various odds, the best of which are (+1400) at FanDuel and PointsBet. Christian Wood is (+9000) to lead the league in rebounding.
INDIANA PACERS: Rick Carlisle is the new head coach after the Nate Bjorkgren fiasco, and we shall see what he can do with one of the most underachieving teams in the NBA last season. He is (+1600) to win Coach of the Year, Domantas Sabonis is (+700) to lead the league in rebounding, Myles Turner is (+700) to win Defensive Player of the Year and Malcolm Brogdon is 130-1 for Most Improved Player at FanDuel. The best Rookie of the Year odds on Chris Duarte are (+4600) at FanDuel.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: LeBron James did not receive any votes from his peers for best NBA player, so that may just fuel him. He is not a favorite anymore for MVP, and the best odds you can find on him in that category are (+1500) at DraftKings, where Anthony Davis is also listed at (+2500). Kendrick Nunn is (+2000) on the board for Sixth Man of the Year, and Frank Vogel is (+1400) for Coach of the Year at BetMGM. One of the biggest line disparities involves Davis for Defensive Player of the Year. He is the (+350) favorite at FanDuel and the fourth choice (+1000) at BetMGM.com.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: With Kawhi Leonard likely out for most of the season with an ACL injury, there is just not a lot of buzz around the secondary tenants at Staples Center. Paul George is going to have to be the leader of this team, and his MVP odds are alluring. He is (+4000) at Caesars/William Hill and lower everywhere else. Keon Johnson is (+6600) at PointsBet.com for Rookie of the Year, but much lower elsewhere.
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MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Theoretically, Memphis could do what Phoenix did last year and sneak up on everybody, and the Grizzlies are 50-1 to win the West. Individually, this very young team has one decent sleeper pick in Jaren Jackson Jr. for Most Improved after he played only 11 games last season. He is listed between 14-1 and 16-1 at various books. Ja Morant is in the 45-1 range for MVP.
MIAMI HEAT: We have already mentioned that Spoelstra is one of the heavy favorites for Coach of the Year, so if you really want an interesting flyer wager, you could do a lot worse than Jimmy Butler at 55-1 for MVP and Kyle Lowry at 300-1 &mdash; not a misprint &mdash; for the same award. The only player with somewhat of a chalk line is Duncan Robinson at 11-1 to lead the league in three-pointers made per game. (Steph Curry is a nutso favorite with a line of (-165)).
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: It is safe to say that Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the mix for a third MVP award if he can stay healthy and make free throws without setting the knee-knocking record, and he is on the board at odds of 8-1 pretty much everywhere. Defensive Player of the Year awards do not usually go to on-ball defenders, but we all got a close look at <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jrue-holiday-is-the-final-piece-to-any-teams-puzzle-nba-finals-2020-tokyo-olympics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how good Jrue Holiday is in that category</a> during the NBA Finals and the Olympics. Holiday is (+2700) in that category at FanDuel, and (+3000) everywhere else. Pat Connaughton, who had a nice postseason, is 100-1 for Sixth Man of the Year at PointsBet.com. Nobody has him listed for Most Improved.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: OK, we scrape the back of the brain for something nice to say. They did not have a first- or second-round draft pick, so Rookie of the Year is sort of out of the question. Karl-Anthony-Towns is (+9000) to win MVP, and that probably isn't happening unless he gets traded. And with that, we have run out of nice things to say.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: This revamped roster includes Devonte&rsquo; Graham as the team's new point guard, and if he gets extremely good at lobbing he ball to Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas &mdash; and finding Brandon Ingram &mdash; he might just lead the NBA in assists. If you think that is a realistic possibility, you seem to be alone. No sportsbook lists Graham among the contenders to lead the league in assists. The best you can do is (+6000) on him at PointsBet for Most Improved. Zion Williamson&rsquo;s MVP odds are 40-1 pretty much everywhere.
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NEW YORK KNICKS: Obi Toppin is coming off a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/new-york-knicks-youngsters-exceed-expectations-in-nba-summer-league-las-vegas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heck of a Summer League</a>, so he has to be in consideration for Most Improved Player if Tom Thibodeau believes in him. He was Player of the Year two years ago in college, so the talent is there. Problem is, the best MIP odds on him are nowhere to be found. He is not listed at any of the major U.S. sportsbooks. For true believers in the orange and blue, Kemba Walker is 400-1 for MVP at DraftKings.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may as well play 48 minutes per game and average 59 points per game until Sam Presti realizes he is damaging his tanking chances, he is a nifty flyer bet at 100-1 (DraftKings) to lead the NBA in scoring.
ORLANDO MAGIC: Do not bet on the Orlando Magic in the futures market, okay? Well, alright, we will give you one thing to consider. Markelle Fultz, back after missing all of last season, is (+8000) for Most Improved Player at DraftKings &mdash; though we'll see <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/breaking-down-6-nba-players-whose-roles-may-be-diminished-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what his role looks like</a> in a crowded backcourt.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers: A mystery team until we find out <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-ben-simmons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what they plan to do with Ben Simmons</a>. Joel Embiid was a worthy runner-up for MVP last season, and he is again atop the list of favorites. Curiously, Embiid is 25-1 to lead the league in rebounds while his backup, Andre Drummond, is 20-1. Seth Curry is 80-1 for Most Improved Player, but is not on the board for most three-pointers made per game.
PHOENIX SUNS: The second-place finishers in the NBA Finals are <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/suns-poised-to-be-one-of-the-nbas-best-teams-in-early-portion-of-202122-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returning pretty much the same cast</a>, with Devin Booker (20-1) listed way ahead of Chris Paul (100-1) in MVP odds. One intriguing possibility is Deandre Ayton for Most Improved, because he did not receive enough of the credit last season for this team&rsquo;s success despite shooting 62.2% in his third NBA season. It's hard to see him improving on that percentage, but should Ayton get into the 70% territory (only Wilt Chamberlain, DeAndre Jordan and Mitchell Robinson have done so), Most Improved could be within his sights. The best odds on that are (+4500) at DraftKings.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Chauncey Billups has the same odds (30-1) as Willie Green of the Pelicans to win Coach of the Year. Both are being put in charge of taking their teams to the next level, and Billups has the better team, in my opinion. Damian Lillard is a top-six choice for MVP everywhere except PointsBet, where he is eighth at (+1600). Robert Covington, the Patrick Beverley of forwards, is 100-1 to win Defensive Player of the Year.
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SACRAMENTO KINGS: Nobody places odds on the first coach to be fired. Richaun Holmes has the longest odds of anybody on the board at DraftKings for Most Improved Player at 150-1.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Gregg Popovich is 50-1 to win Coach of the Year. New Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. (45-1) and 22 other coaches have better odds. Thaddeus Young is a sneaky Sixth Man pick at 55-1 (provided he gets traded elsewhere).
TORONTO RAPTORS: Our staff loved <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/something-to-prove-og-anunoby-shot-creation-toronto-raptors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OG Anunoby</a> for <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-roundtable-which-player-is-poised-to-break-out-next-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener">player most likely to have a breakout season</a>, and he is on the board at just 25-1 at PointsBet but 66-1 at BetMGM. Following the offseason moves that left them a long way from looking like the team that went to the NBA Finals in 2019, it is difficult to find any other members of the Raptors on the boards anywhere.
UTAH JAZZ: If they do what they did last year, Donovan Mitchell is going to get a lot more MVP consideration than he did last season, when these guys snuck up on a lot of people. He is 30-1 for MVP pretty much everywhere, and Jordan Clarkson is the favorite to repeat as Sixth Man of the Year; the same goes for Rudy Gobert with Defensive Player of the Year. Also, Quin Snyder is right up there with the favorites for Coach of the Year. With pretty much the same roster, is it a little surprising to see them listed behind the Lakers, Warriors and Suns to win the West.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS: The Wizards are another off-the-radar team following the trade of Russell Westbrook, but Bradley Beal is the favorite to lead the NBA in scoring and Kyle Kuzma is 40-1 for Most Improved. Curiously, PointsBet.com is the only book listing Montrezl Harrell for Sixth Man of the Year, where he is 20-1. He won the award two years ago and was sixth last season.

Chris Sheridan checks into the NBA's preseason odds and goes through the top wagers to make for all 30 teams.

Best bets: NBA team-by-team odds choices as 2021-22 season approaches

History is not on the side of the Milwaukee Bucks. Of the 35 teams that have lost the first two games of the NBA Finals, only four came back to win the championship. That is a mere 13.4% success rate.
But it is not a 0% success rate, and we have already seen Milwaukee come back from an 0-2 deficit in the second round against the Brooklyn Nets. So it can be done, which was the operating principle behind taking a drive across the New York-New Jersey border on Friday evening to drop $40 into the sinkhole known as the legalized U.S. sports gambling industry.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the Bucks&rsquo; one and only star during the first two games of the series, but there are &ndash; at least in theory &ndash; five games left. That means there is an opportunity for other Milwaukee players to rise to the occasion and be the catalyst for four victories over the remainder of the series, and the time to wager on them for NBA Finals MVP is when their odds are highest.
With that thought in mind, $20 went on Khris Middleton at odds of +6000 (60-1) and another $20 went on Jrue Holiday at +10000 (100-1). Only three games will be played over the next seven days, and that gives Giannis Antetokounmpo more healing time for his hyperextended knee. He has been fantastic in Milwaukee&rsquo;s first two games, but those games were losses. And if a different player steps up and becomes the difference-maker in four Bucks wins, that will be a determining factor in whether someone other than the Greek Freak (currently +400) becomes the Finals MVP.
As Saturday begins, the favorites are Chris Paul (-143) and Devin Booker (+200). Friday was a travel day, so we will get an update on everyone&rsquo;s status at some point today. The guy whose comments will be interpreted most closely is Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who reportedly was a dead man walking back when the Bucks were down 0-2 vs. Brooklyn.
Will he shake up his starting lineup and go big by inserting Bobby Portis as he did in Games 5 and 6 against the Atlanta Hawks? And if he is planning to do so, will he show his cards prior to tipoff?
And most importantly, will he change some of his offensive schemes to provide more shot opportunities for his secondary stars, Middleton and Holiday?
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Middleton shot 12-for-26 in Game 1 for 29 points, but just 5-for-16 in Game 2. Holiday was 7-for-22 in Game 2 after going 4-for-14 in Game 1. One of them has to become a consistent second scorer while also adding something on the defensive end, and since Holiday was an All-Defensive-First-Team selection, his 100-1 odds were most enticing.
Let&rsquo;s not forget that he was the player who defended Kevin Durant at the end of the epic Game 7 of the Nets-Bucks series when Durant airballed a three-pointer with 0.3 seconds remaining in overtime and the Nets trailing by two. Somebody needs to do something better against Paul, who was brilliant in Game 1 &mdash; with 32 points and nine assists &mdash; and nearly as efficient in Game 2 &mdash; with 23 points and eight assists (along with six turnovers, tying his season-high).
And even if Budenholzer gets Holiday to force Paul into a sub-par game, the next concern is finding a way to defend Booker, who has scored 27 and 31 in the first two games, knocking down seven three-pointers in Game 2 after going only 1-for-8 in Game 1.
It is very much a &ldquo;pick-your-poison&rdquo; type of situation for Budenholzer when figuring out how to defend Phoenix&rsquo;s guards. And then there is the matter of defending Deandre Ayton, who went 8-for-10 and had 22 points and 18 rebounds in Game 1 and then came back to earth with 10 points and 11 rebounds in Game 2. Also, Mikal Bridges has been the unsung hero for the Suns over the first two games: 14 points in Game 1 and then 27 points in Game 2. He has not missed a single one of his 10 free throws.
Antetokounmpo&rsquo;s knee remains a question mark, and there may come points when the Bucks are going to have to get things done without him. That is all the more reason to take a couple of $20 flyers on Middleton and Holiday when their odds are so high, as unlikely as it seems that the Bucks can come back from 0-2 without their best player having a significant role.
The last team to come back from an 0-2 deficit to win the finals was the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, who were down 0-2 to Golden State but won the series in seven games. Previously, the 2006 Miami Heat did it against the Dallas Mavericks, winning four straight. (The others were the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers and the 1969 Boston Celtics).
And if you think things look bleak for the Bucks, a history lesson is in order. In the 2016 Finals, the 73-win Warriors jumped to a 2&ndash;0 lead in the series and recorded the largest combined margin of victory (48) through two games in NBA Finals history in the process. Cleveland won Game 3 at home, 120&ndash;90, but Golden State bounced back to take Game 4. The rest is history. The Cavaliers won the next three games, becoming the first team in NBA Finals history to overcome a 3-1 deficit.
The 2006 Heat lost the first two games on the road and were down 13 points with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter of Game 3 but rallied against Dallas. They then won Game 5 in overtime, as Dwyane Wade shot 25 free throws, making 21. And the series ended in Dallas when Wade scored 36 points and Miami rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit to win Game 6.
The Lesson: Even when things look hopelessly bleak, things can change. And so while the Bucks look dead in the water, this series will not be over until somebody wins four games.
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In the sports gambling universe, the way to get paid is to latch onto a key player at a ridiculous set of odds and hope for the best. Chances are that if the Bucks win, Giannis will get all the credit. He remains the third choice on the board at DraftKings sportsbook at +400, followed by Ayton at +1600.
But Middleton had superb outings in Games 3, 4 and 6 against the Hawks and in Game 1 against the Suns, starting to change the narrative regarding whether he is a better regular-season player than postseason player. And Holiday, who cost a king&rsquo;s ransom for the Bucks to acquire from the Pelicans, is not going to continue to shoot 31.6% from the field and 16.7% from the three-point line. He had four fantastic games against the Hawks, and one must figure that his chamber is not empty.
If the Bucks lose Sunday, stick a fork in them because they will be done.
No NBA team has ever come all the way back from an 0-3 deficit. But if the Bucks win at home, we are not going to see these types of prices on Milwaukee players (Brook Lopez is currently +30000, as is P.J. Tucker). Bobby Portis, who can be inserted into the starting lineup if Budenholzer wants to put a pair of big men on the court together as he did in Games 5 and 6 against Atlanta and try to force the Suns to match up, is +50000.
We are two games in. There could be five games left. And while it looks as though the Suns are unstoppable, the Warriors looked that way five years ago; and the Mavs a decade before that.
It ain&rsquo;t over yet.

Of the 35 teams that have lost the first two games of the NBA Finals, only four came back to win the title. Can the Bucks become the fifth?

Taking a long shot at Bucks coming back behind Holiday, Middleton

No Eastern Conference team has had a worse year than the Toronto Raptors when it comes to living up to preseason expectations, which is understandable when you consider the fact that the entire organization relocated to Tampa, Fla. because of cross-border travel coronavirus concerns.
Yes, they beat the Golden State Warriors by 53 points Friday night, but that came after losses in 13 of their previous 14 games. They are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 spot that would ensure them at least one play-in game.
But they have taken a deep drop since winning the NBA championship two years ago, and their fans back in Ontario are entering a month-long government-ordered lockdown today. It is going to be a long April in Toronto, but the thing about the NBA is&hellip; You just never know.
The Raptors were 5.5-point favorites against the Warriors on Friday night, so they covered by a mere 47.5 points on a night when the oddsmakers set the over/unders so high that eight of 10 games finished under. The game between the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks was under by 28 points, although the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder went 22.5 points over the number the oddsmakers had set for total points.
This all goes to show that gambling lines can be way off in this most uncertain of seasons, and that brings us back to the Raptors and, specifically, big man Chris Boucher.
Boucher grew up in Quebec and three years ago, he was playing part-time for the Raptors' G League affiliate. (Neat factoid: As a rookie with Golden State in 2017-18, he played one minute of one game and missed his only shot, a three-point attempt).
The fourth-year veteran has improved his scoring from 6.6 points per game to 13.2, and his shooting percentage has gone from 48.2% to 52.7%.
Much improved, eh?
But Most Improved?
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That is debatable, but if there has been one constant throughout this strangest of NBA seasons, it has been the debate over who will win a bunch of the postseason awards. Those awards are selected by a panel of about 120 writers and broadcasters who cover the league on the regular basis (the fans also get a vote for Most Valuable Player).
One writer has gone 12-for-12 with his votes, picking all of the correct award winners over the last two seasons: Zach Harper of The Athletic. On Thursday, he made the case that &ndash; at this point of the season &ndash; he sees Boucher as <a href="https://theathletic.com/2485012/">most qualified to get his vote</a>. According to him, Boucher beats out Detroit&rsquo;s Jerami Grant and Houston&rsquo;s Christian Wood.
From <a href="https://theathletic.com/2485012/">Harper&rsquo;s column</a>:
&ldquo;I do think Chris Boucher has been the Most Improved Player, and not entirely just because he&rsquo;s played 48 games to the 24 of Christian Wood. The Toronto Raptors have been slowly bringing Boucher along for a couple of seasons now, and we&rsquo;ve seen a vast improvement in everything he&rsquo;s doing. He&rsquo;s a legitimate Sixth Man for the Raptors. He&rsquo;s a defensive presence, especially around the rim. He&rsquo;s turned himself into a real threat around the rim, a real 3-point shooter, and someone who has a good in-between game, as well. Boucher has been great for the Raptors, even though their season has been less than. His improvement from last year is tops for me at the moment.&rdquo;
Boucher is 80-1 to win the award at DraftKings and PointsBet, and 100-1 at FanDuel and BetMGM. Every sportsbook that has a line posted on Most Improved has Julius Randle of the New York Knicks as the heavy favorite. Randle has gone from averaging 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season to 22.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists this season. Although they fell below the .500 mark with Friday night&rsquo;s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks currently sit poised to make the postseason after a seven-year drought. If they do, that may give Randle an edge. But nothing&rsquo;s promised.
At DraftKings, just 1% of the total money bet on Most Improved Player has been on Boucher and he has 6% of the Sixth Man of the Year handle,&nbsp;spokesman Parker Winslow said.
At PointsBet, Boucher has taken just 0.85% of the handle, which is 12th among all players. Meanwhile, Grant has taken 27.5%, Wood is at 26% and Randle is at 14%, according to spokesman Wyatt Yearout.
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We still have one-third of the season left, and as veteran NBA writer Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press noted in <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-sheridan-show-brian-mahoney-on-mvp-odds-who-will-play-for-team-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">my most recent podcast</a>, there has been an above-average amount of debate over postseason awards this season. So we shall see where Most Improved goes the rest of the way.
With so many new faces populating NBA rosters, along with so many teams resting superstars regularly and so many MVP candidates injured, the actual Most Improved Player may come out of nowhere as the season rolls toward its conclusion.
There are a couple Porter, Jrs. out there &ndash; Kevin in Houston and Michael in Denver &ndash; who are sitting at 150-1. Perhaps they&rsquo;re worth some consideration, as well.
The field is obviously open, but as of right now, Boucher &ndash; for several reasons &ndash; is an interesting flyer opportunity for people who have wagering legalized in their states.

Similar to MVP, the race for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award appears to be wide open. Chris Sheridan checks in on the field.

Is Raptors' Chris Boucher worth a flyer For Most Improved Player?

It's the NBA All-Star Game almost no one seemed to want.
Certainly not the players, who scoffed at the notion of playing an exhibition game in the midst of a pandemic.
The city of Atlanta, picked as a replacement for original host Indianapolis, didn't seem so thrilled with the idea, either.
<a href="https://twitter.com/KeishaBottoms/status/1361792881493688324" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The mayor urged fans to stay away</a> from an event renowned for wild parties and packed streets. Police scheduled 12-hour shifts and canceled off days in an attempt to <a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/news/entertainment-news/atlanta-concern-nba-all-star-weekend-parties-covid-violence/85-4cf1545f-7532-4e2c-9dce-f92840ab8057" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crack down on any events</a> that could lead to a surge of COVID-19 cases.
But the league pressed forward, eager to improve its bottom line and its brand by televising the popular midseason showcase around the world.
The NBA's best will take the court Sunday in a one-night-only, hastily arranged event at a mostly empty State Farm Arena, where only a limited number of invited guests will be allowed to watch in person.
&ldquo;All-Star is part of our league. It's no different than all the other games we play,&rdquo; Commissioner Adam Silver said. "It begins and ends with the fans. This is an event the fans love to see. They love to see the players come together.
&ldquo;But,&rdquo; he quickly added, &ldquo;nothing comes without controversy in a pandemic.&rdquo;
The league's biggest stars, led by LeBron James, would have preferred getting some much-needed time off during the six-day break.
<a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-02-04/lebron-james-criticizes-plan-to-hold-nba-all-star-game" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James even went so far</a> as to call it &ldquo;a slap in the face&rdquo; to players who had little time to recover from last year's interrupted season, which was completed in a central Florida bubble, and are still dealing with burdensome protocols intended to stifle the coronavirus as much as possible (but still weren't enough to prevent the postponement of 31 games in the first half).
Now that it's game on, James is trying to make the best of the situation, using the All-Star platform to carry on with his efforts to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-georgia-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-nba-all-star-game-5418024f78cfa17acd3aa175fceda916" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expand voting rights &mdash;</a> a fitting gesture with the game being held in a state that was one of the focal points of the 2020 election.
&ldquo;Look what we made happen, what our voices made possible,&rdquo; the Los Angeles Lakers star says in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUW4-WiHUB4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a 51-second ad</a> that was set to air for the first time during the game. &ldquo;And now, look what they&rsquo;re trying to do to silence us, using every trick in the book and attacking democracy itself. Because they saw what we&rsquo;re capable of, and they fear it.&rdquo;
Some things to watch for in Sunday's All-Star Game:
TEAM LEBRON VS. TEAM DURANT
This will be the fourth straight year to feature a format where the two top vote-getters served as captains and drafted their teams from the All-Star selections.
James has handled the duties all four times, going 3-0 in his previous stints &mdash; including <a href="https://apnews.com/article/f795a785b30cc9708ba0cca0d063f452" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last year's 157-155 thriller</a> in Chicago. Brooklyn's Kevin Durant got the nod for the first time, though he won't be able to play in the game because of an ailing hamstring.
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-joel-embiid-los-angeles-lakers-giannis-antetokounmpo-jayson-tatum-78738d16628d75e212e4356ec687d93a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James used the top draft pick</a> on two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who captained the squad that went against Team LeBron the last two years. They are joined in the starting lineup by Stephen Curry of Golden State, Luka Doncic of Dallas and Nikola Jokic of Denver.
Durant selected Nets teammate Kyrie Irving with his first choice, rounding out the starting lineup with Joel Embiid of the 76ers (now ruled out due to COVID contact tracing), 2020 All-Star MVP Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers, Bradley Beal of Washington and Jayson Tatum of the Celtics.
&ldquo;I just try to pick players that can complement one another,&rdquo; James said. "It&rsquo;s the All-Star Game, so there&rsquo;s going to be some shenanigans out there. But for the majority of the game, we&rsquo;re going to try to play the right way and come out with a win.&rdquo;
MAD SKILLZ
With only one night to get in all the events, two competitions will be held shortly before the All-Star Game tipoff.
The Skills Challenge, a test of ball-handling, passing and shooting ability, will feature Doncic, Portland's Robert Covington, Chris Paul of the Suns, Julius Randle of the Knicks, Indiana's Domantas Sabonis, and Nikola Vucevic of the Magic.
Taking part in the 3-point shooting contest are Curry, Tatum, Boston's Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine of the Bulls, and a pair of Utah guards, Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley.
Conley was a replacement for Phoenix star Devin Booker, who can't participate because of an injury.
HIGH FLYERS
The Slam Dunk showdown will take place at halftime between Portland's Anfernee Simons and a pair of rookies: New York's Obi Toppin and Indiana's Cassius Stanley.
"I've been watching a lot of dunks the past couple of days," Toppin said. &ldquo;I'm going to try to do some stuff that hasn't been done yet in the dunk contest.&rdquo;
He got a few tips from his father, who was a well-known streetball player in Brooklyn.
&ldquo;I talked to him about some of the dunks," Toppin said. &ldquo;He's basically telling me which ones are a little crazy.&rdquo;
GOOD CAUSE
The NBA and the players union are <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-race-and-ethnicity-nba-all-star-game-6193a11b376d1b2a700079d35dc07260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">donating more than $3 million</a> to aid historically Black colleges and universities, much of it decided by the outcome of the game.
Team LeBron will play on behalf of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, while Team Durant represents the United Negro College Fund.
Both organizations will receive $500,000 to start. Another $450,000 will divvied up based on the winners of the first, second and third quarters. Finally, the team that reaches the target score to win the game will ensure $300,000 for its cause.
LEFT OUT
The Atlanta Hawks, who are hosting the game for the third time and first since 2003, were shut out of festivities in their home arena.
Trae Young, a starter in 2020, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-atlanta-hawks-guard-trae-young-biggest-2021-all-star-snub-coach-votes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was snubbed this season</a> despite averaging 26.4 points &mdash; the most of any player not selected for the All-Star Game.
The Hawks also were left out of the skills, 3-point and dunking competitions. Their only All-Star selection was DeAndre Hunter to the Rising Stars, but that was merely symbolic since the game won't be played and Hunter is recovering from knee surgery.
___
AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.
Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paulnewberry
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The NBA's best will take the court Sunday in a one-night-only, hastily arranged event at a mostly empty State Farm Arena

NBA All-Star 2021: The game no one seemed to want

It wasn&rsquo;t supposed to go like this, man.
That was seemingly the primary takeaway when Blake Griffin, fresh off receiving a five-year, $173 million deal from the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017, was sent to the Detroit Pistons for a package headlined by Tobias Harris. Griffin was near the peak of his powers at that point, a wrecking ball with playmaking chops and a budding jumpshot. He helped bring the Clippers to prominence and was rewarded for such, though that partnership ended roughly seven months after the contract was signed.
We&rsquo;ve arrived at the same conclusion -- it wasn&rsquo;t supposed to go like this, man -- four years later, yet for a more somber reason. Griffin is now an oft-injured shell of himself, testing the free-agency waters a year and a half earlier than anticipated.&nbsp;
It wasn&rsquo;t that long ago that Griffin and the Pistons came to a we&rsquo;ll-sit-at-home agreement with the expectation of finding Griffin a new home. With no trade on the horizon, the two sides agreed to a buyout, per ESPN&rsquo;s Adrian Wojnarowski.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s worth emphasizing that Griffin is a shell of himself. After an All-NBA-caliber campaign in 2018-19, Griffin has played in 38 games since then, averaging 14-5-4 with a 36/28/75 shooting split. That&rsquo;s, uh, pretty bad! He&rsquo;s somehow even worse defensively; the rim protection was never there because of the lack of length, and the injuries have sapped quite a bit of his lateral mobility.
The bet for teams -- Woj and others have reported that plenty of playoff contenders are interested -- is that a rejuvenated, less-relied-on Griffin can make an impact as a role player. Even at this stage of his career, he remains intriguing as a playmaking hub in Elbow sets or short-roll situations. If the jumper rebounds at all, you&rsquo;re looking at a half-court connector that could take a ton of pressure off a primary initiator.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s examine some of the best landing spots for Griffin.
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MAKES SENSE, BUT&hellip;
Team: Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers
Financial reasons rule out the Bucks right now. Per ESPN&rsquo;s Bobby Marks, the hard cap currently prevents them from making an offer. A trade would be needed to clear some room.
If that were to happen, the Bucks would certainly move up the power rankings. The 4 rotation behind Giannis Antetokounmpo has been&hellip; an adventure, to be kind. The frenetic Thanasis Antetokounpo gets burn; DJ Wilson is perpetually in and out of the rotation. Torrey Craig has gotten some run. It&rsquo;s fair to wonder what Griffin would look like in that spot, potentially playing the 4 in Giannis-at-5 lineups.
There&rsquo;s always a &ldquo;man, the Lakers want/get everyone&rdquo; angle to play, particularly online. It&rsquo;s mostly a meme, but it wouldn&rsquo;t be a total shock to see Griffin in a Laker uniform. Purely from a we-need-firepower perspective, a Griffin flyer could be worth a shot. He&rsquo;d fit in as a high-IQ passer who could execute plenty of the high-post sets that the Lakers like to run.
There are financial factors at play that make this pairing unlikely. The Lakers aren&rsquo;t hard-capped, but they also don&rsquo;t have mid-sized exceptions to fit Griffin into (like the other teams pursuing him do). Beyond that, the frontcourt is a bit crowded. Once Anthony Davis is back, Griffin would be fighting with Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, and Markieff Morris for closing minutes. Even that is working under the assumption that LeBron James would slide up to the 3 in such an alignment.
So, nah.
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SURE, I COULD SEE IT
Teams: Toronto Raptors
Don&rsquo;t believe in the Freaky Friday that the Raptors are pulling right now. The advanced stats page on NBA.com may tell you that their offense (113.4 offensive rating, 10th) is better than their defense (112.0, 18th), but their defense remains the foundation of their success.
The Raptors rank eighth in half-court defense and fifth in transition efficiency, per Cleaning The Glass. They get stops, force turnovers, and run all over teams. Get them in a half-court setting and things bog down a bit (13th). Adding Griffin to provide a similar element to what Gasol brought in years prior -- high-post passing, pick-and-pop shooting -- could help juice the offense.
Worth noting: Kyle Lowry would be, by far, the best point guard Griffin has played with since his Clipper days. Higher quality of looks could see the efficiency jump a bit.
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IN THE HUNT&nbsp;
Teams: Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics
Similar to the Raptors, the Warriors&rsquo; half-court defense is driving their success. Getting out after misses or turnovers allows the Warriors to tap into Steph Curry&rsquo;s unpredictability. The Warriors are slightly ahead of the Raptors in half-court efficiency (11th), though they could use a bump in playmaking.&nbsp;
Outside of Curry and Draymond Green, who consistently capitalizes on advantages via passing? At the very least, having Griffin on the second unit could improve some of the flow there.&nbsp;
The Celtics have missed Gordon Hayward a little more than expected. To be fair, they&rsquo;ve missed just about everyone at some point during this woebegone season. Still, having Hayward as a third (sometimes fourth) playmaker helped take pressure off of Boston&rsquo;s star wing duo. For a team that ranks toward the bottom of just about every passing stat that matters, and has seen an increase in double teams against their star wings, adding Griffin as a short-roll threat could be helpful.&nbsp;
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THE FAVORITES
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets
Please get Damian Lillard some help.
His second- and third-best players are hurt. Even when healthy, the Blazers could use a little more playmaking help. With Lillard consistently having two bodies tossed at him near half-court, having Griffin as a release valve would take some of the creation burden off of Lillard.&nbsp;
The Heat desperately need help at the 4. After capturing lightning in a bottle with Jae Crowder during the second half of last season, the Heat have flat-out failed to find a reasonable replacement. Mo Harkless has been a dud; youngster KZ Okpala has gotten an inconsistent leash, and has mostly looked out of sorts when trusted with major playing time. Kelly Olynyk and Andre Iguodala have filled in admirably, but have glaring limitations on opposite ends of the floor.
Griffin would help sort the frontcourt hierarchy there. He or Olynyk would start, the other flanked by rookie Precious Achiuwa while Iguodala would fill the backup minutes at the 3.&nbsp;
In the end, Griffin may just opt to play with the team that makes life the easiest on him. That would be the Brooklyn Nets, home of three of the 15 or so most talented scorers the NBA has ever seen.&nbsp;
The Athletic&rsquo;s Shams Charania has reported that the Nets are the frontrunners to land Griffin; the title aspirations, personal relationships, and the ease in which he could get open looks serve as valid reasons for the choice. The thought of closing games with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Joe Harris, Griffin, and Kevin Durant is a daunting one for opposing defenses.
As the adage goes, giving up 130 doesn&rsquo;t mean much if you&rsquo;re scoring 140.
Or something like that.

Nekias Duncan takes a look at the best fits for Blake Griffin and which teams could possibly add the veteran.

Examining potential destinations for Blake Griffin following buyout

The 2020 NBA draft order is set and the Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 overall pick. The draft is currently scheduled for Oct. 16, although the NBA <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29739338/sources-nba-players-union-agree-2nd-push-back-window-preserving-cba-termination-rights">may push it back</a> a bit.
Either way, the draft is quickly approaching, which means mock-draft season is upon us. Without further ado, here is Matt Babcock's latest 2020 mock draft:
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Obi_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Obi Toppin
Perhaps the surest bet in a draft filled with potential risks, the National College Player of the Year could step into the Timberwolves' lineup and form a dynamic trio alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and D&rsquo;Angelo Russell (especially on the offensive end). This past season, Toppin led his Dayton Flyers to an incredible 29-2 record, subsequently putting them in the national spotlight. He routinely put his elite athleticism on full display by executing jaw-dropping dunks while also showing a soft touch from outside by shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc. He should make a seamless transition to the NBA, making him the right pick for the Timberwolves.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/JamesWiseman3_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
2. Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
After five-straight NBA Finals appearances, the Warriors had an off year this last season, mostly due to injuries. The good news is that they will have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all back on the floor and healthy next season. James Wiseman from the Memphis Tigers could be a long-term building block for the Warriors while also providing excellent defense right off the bat as they look to contend for another title. At 7-foot-1, Wiseman is extremely agile and skilled for a player his size, and he would likely be able to contribute for the Warriors right away in his rookie season. For more on Wiseman's game and potential, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/james-wiseman-memphis-2020-nba-draft">read this prospect breakdown</a> (which features inside info from a Memphis staffer).
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Ed1_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
3. Charlotte Hornets - Anthony Edwards
Although there are concerns surrounding Anthony Edwards' decision-making, shot selection and discipline, he has undeniable talent and he's capable of lighting teams up when he turns it on. For example, his exceptional abilities were on display when he scored 33 points in one half against Michigan State at the Maui Invitational in November. For the Hornets, Edwards would be well worth the risk at No. 3 since he has significant star potential and upside.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Lem_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
4. Chicago Bulls - LaMelo Ball
Newly hired executive Arturas Karnisovas could look to make a big splash with the No. 4 pick by selecting the youngest member of the infamous Ball family, LaMelo Ball. At 6-foot-7, LaMelo is a big point guard who has the ball on a string and an uncanny ability to make plays for himself and his teammates. If he is able to control the theatrics that surround him while also maturing as a player, he could be exactly what Karnisovas and the Bulls need to turn things around in the Windy City.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Dei_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Deni Avdija
After selecting guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland with high lottery picks in two consecutive years, the Cavs could select Israeli point forward Deni Avdija of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 19-year-old prospect is interesting because of his talent, upside and versatility. He also wouldn&rsquo;t affect the development of their other young players as GM Koby Altman continues to rebuild the Cavaliers' roster.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Onyeka_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
6. Atlanta Hawks - Onyeka Okongwu
Some may say that it doesn't make much such for Atlanta to add a big man, as the Hawks acquired Clint Capela prior to the trade deadline. However, Onyeka Okongwu from the USC Trojans would be too good to pass up at this stage in the draft. At 6-foot-9, Okongwu has drawn comparisons to Bam Adebayo as an athletic and skilled undersized center who could also provide the Hawks with a much-needed defensive presence.&nbsp;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Killa_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
7. Detroit Pistons - Killian Hayes
Former league MVP Derrick Rose has miraculously turned his career around after battling a series of unfortunate injuries. However, despite Rose&rsquo;s re-emergence, he is 31 years old with a lot of mileage on his body already and only one more year remaining on his contract. French point guard Killian Hayes, who had a terrific season in Germany with Ratiopharm Ulm, could ultimately take the reins to the team. The hope is that he will continue his rapid development as a lead guard that can create and make plays.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Okoro_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
8. New York Knicks - Isaac Okoro
After falling in the NBA Draft Lottery again, the Knicks could snag the top athlete and best defender in the draft with Isaac Okoro from Auburn. At 6-foot-6 and a physical build similar to an NFL linebacker, Okoro jumps out of the gym and is capable of defending everyone on the floor. While he may not be the perfect fit next to R.J. Barrett because of a lack of perimeter shooting, Okoro would give them another young piece to build around as newly hired team president Leon Rose tries to clean things up in New York.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Vas_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
9.&nbsp;Washington Wizards - Devin Vassell
With more than $270 million committed to veteran guards John Wall and Bradley Beal over the next several years, drafting Devin Vassell would give the Wizards a 6-foot-6 wing with a solid and well-balanced game. The Florida State product could provide Washington with another prospect who complements their veterans while also elevating their young core in the long run.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/tyy_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
10. Phoenix Suns - Tyrese Haliburton
After going undefeated in the NBA&rsquo;s bubble, the Phoenix Suns have a lot to look forward to as all of their key pieces will be returning. Phoenix's most important piece, Devin Booker, has established himself as a bonafide star at just 23 years old. Point guard Tyrese Halliburton from Iowa State could possibly be the perfect fit alongside Booker, as he can play on or off the ball, stretch the floor and be effective without needing too many touches. A floor general like Haliburton would let Booker be Booker without getting in his way.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Pat_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
11. San Antonio Spurs - Patrick Williams
Hybrid forward Patrick Williams from Florida State had an up-and-down freshman season, but he was able to show that he possesses all of the tools that NBA teams crave for modern-day basketball (which values floor spacing and defensive versatility). Although some further development would be needed, Williams could be an upside pick that could assist the Spurs moving forward as they look to rebuild their team around their young pieces.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/van_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
12. Sacramento Kings - Aaron Nesmith
The Kings are in the midst of finding a new front-office leader, as they recently parted ways with Vlade Divac. With the No. 12 pick, the new boss will have an opportunity to add a young piece to put alongside De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III. They could very well consider a big man to put next to Bagley; however, in this mock draft, we have Sacramento selecting the top shooter in the draft, Aaron Nesmith from Vanderbilt. Prior to a season-ending injury, Nesmith averaged 23 points per game while shooting 52 percent from three-point range in 14 games.&nbsp;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Kira_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
13. New Orleans Pelicans - Kira Lewis Jr.
David Griffin has put together a promising young team in a short amount of time after winning the Zion Williamson sweepstakes last year and trading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package centered around Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, things have seemed to have soured with Ball as of late and a change at the point guard position seems all but inevitable. Sophomore point guard Kira Lewis Jr. from Alabama could be the answer for New Orleans. Possessing elite speed and a solid shooting stroke, Lewis has steadily moved up draft boards all year long. He has drawn comparisons to former NBA point guard Darren Collison, who had a terrific career (and who was also drafted by New Orleans).&nbsp;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/wa_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="AUTO" />
14. Boston Celtics - Isaiah Stewart II
Danny Ainge is perhaps the king of stockpiling assets, and this pick that the Celtics have received from the Memphis Grizzlies via trade is a perfect example of that. Boston has a solid nucleus of young players already, but they could bolster their frontcourt by adding the physical, hard-working Isaiah Stewart II. In his lone season at the University of Washington, the 19-year-old averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
15. Orlando Magic - R.J. Hampton
16. Portland Trail Blazers - Precious Achiuwa
17. Minnesota Timberwolves - Saddiq Bey
18. Dallas Mavericks - Cassius Stanley
19. Brooklyn Nets - Aleksej Pokusevski
20. Miami Heat - Cole Anthony
21. Philadelphia 76ers - Leandro Bolmaro
22. Denver Nuggets - Zeke Nnaji
23. Utah Jazz - Theo Maledon
24. Milwaukee Bucks - Elijah Hughes
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jaden McDaniels
26. Boston Celtics - Tyrese Maxey
27. New York Knicks - Jalen Smith
28. Los Angeles Lakers - Isaiah Joe
29. Toronto Raptors - Vernon Carey Jr.
30. Boston Celtics - Robert Woodard II
<a href="https://twitter.com/MattBabcock11">Matt Babcock</a> is an NBA Draft analyst and the founder of <a href="https://www.babcockhoops.com/">Babcock Hoops</a>, which features in-depth coverage of the 2020 NBA Draft including player breakdowns, interviews and more.

Former NBA agent and current NBA draft analyst Matt Babcock shares his 2020 NBA Mock Draft with explanations for each lottery pick.

Nazareth (NY) Golden Flyers