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GSW, Brent
Big Game James Harden was destined to be one of the first, and most highly priced, players in any auction draft. Recovering from spending $115 on one guy is difficult but GSW is not as top-heavy as others who forayed into the triple digits. LaMarcus Aldridge is solid but aging, Cedi Osman has shown flashes but has not been worth rostering in most leagues so far in his career. Brandon Ingram had a blood clot issue which scares me and while Joe Ingles and Justise Winslow have been solid in years past -- especially as forwards who can get assists -- they look to have a diminished role on their NBA teams. Unfortunately, GSW's outlook is focused on the next two seasons as three or four years down the road looks rather bleak, when the wheels will fall off Derrick Rose, Aldridge, and Ingles.
LAC, Joe
This is a team built on second through fifth year players who have shown value and have flashed even higher potential. LAC is one of the more balanced teams in regard to their draft prices -- perhaps due to their lengthy and mysterious onboarding process. Dejounte Murray is rejoining a crowded backcourt but flashed high AST/STL upside. Caris LeVert just signed a new contract and looks to be a big part of Brooklyn's future rise. Mikal Bridges and Jerami Grant have 3-and-D written all over them. This team could also very well pace our league in STLs for years to come.
LAL, Son
Commissioner Son collected a few undervalued veterans in Alex Len, Jeff Teague and Tomas Satoransky. He also added a couple of young guys with high upside: De'Andre Hunter and Robert Williams. I personally love Bam Adebayo! As a third year player whose path is no longer clogged by the imposing figure of Hassan Whiteside, Bam is in line for somewhere around 16-8-3-1-1. Jonathan Isaac has triple-one potential -- 3PT, STL, BLK -- as well. All in all, this is a solid team which can compete this season and should age like a fine wine...I prefer Portuguese reds myself especially Colossal Reserva.
One of the youngest teams around, Phoenix went all-in on a couple of Duke products in Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. PHX GM Chad also secured a decade of triple double threats from Ben Simmons. However, let's just punt FT% now shall we? Behind Zion, Ben and RJ, things get dicier with a group of backups, some of whom may be at the long end of the bench. Say hello Alonzo Trier, Hamidou Diallo, and Kenneth Faried.
SAC, Andrew
With a bench that leaves much to be desired, Sactown might be sweating a starting five of Dennis Smith Jr., Jimmy Buckets, Paul George, Mo Bamba, and Wendell Carter Jr. Perhaps no team aside from MIL -- with team physician Dr. Zev -- is in more danger of injuries disrupting their season. PG13 is likely to start the year on the shelf while DSJ, Bamba, and WCJ have all missed time in their young careers. That being said, the upside is here for a SAC team with solid defensive anchors. If they can scrape some value from their five dollar bench, things could end up in a postseason berth.