Atlantic Division Short/Long Term prospects
6 min read
Another review of the short and long term prospects, this time the Atlantic Division. Probably one of the strongest divisions in the league.
Boston Celtics
Original Roster:
| PG | 1 | Josh Primo | 4 | Goran Dragic | ||
| SG | 6 | Devin Booker | 1 | Lonnie Walker | ||
| SF | 2 | RJ Barrett | 3 | Josh Richardson | 1 | Kessler Edwards |
| PF | 1 | Obi Toppin | 1 | Trey Murphy | ||
| C | 1 | Isaiah Todd | 1 | Marko Simonovic |
Current Roster
| 1 | Davion Mitchell | 1 | Goran Dragic | 1 | Josh Primo | ||
| 2 | Jalen Green | 2 | Jaden Ivey | 1 | MarJon Beauchamp | ||
| 2 | RJ Barrett | 1 | Kessler Edwards | 1 | Tyrese Martin | 2 | Jarrett Culver |
| 2 | Obi Toppin | 4 | Marcus Morris | 1 | Ryan Rollins | 3 | Doug McDermott |
| 1 | Marko Simonovic | 1 | Trey Murphy | 1 | Haywood Highsmith |
Draft Picks: Jaden Ivey (3), Marjon Brauchamp (22), Bryce McGowens (28), Ryan Rollins (39) and Dom Barlow (54)
Future firsts: 23 (Celtics, Clippers,Orlando) 24 (Celtics), 25 (Celtics and Cavs)
Josh was clearly looking to the future when making his selections in the mini redraft and traded Booker for Jalen Green, Davion Mitchell and the Clippers 1st. The Clippers first at the time, looked like it had a good shot of being the first pick in the 2023 draft which could lead to getting a legit superstar for the next 10 – 15 years. However the Clippers have improved their roster since and therefore leaves the best chance at a top two selection with their own pick.
Short term, the Celtics aren’t going to be competing, they probaly wont be for a couple of seasons from the makeup of the roster. There is plenty of potential in the back court for this team to be good in the long term, however a lot will depend on their pick selections.
Short Term: F – Celtics are looking like they will be entering the lottery, having Booker on board would have pushed them up the rankings.
Long Term: B- – The lack of a young upcoming big, holds the grade back a little, Knicks fans rave about Obi but im not convinced and with Randle ahead of him where’s the mins going to come from. However with the possibility of 3 lottery picks for 2023, with Green and RJ taking forward steps this season in my opinion, the team will improve.
Brooklyn Nets
Original Roster
| PG | 3 | Lonzo Ball | 1 | Bruce Brown | 1 | Ziaire Williams |
| SG | 4 | Caris LeVert | 1 | Cole Anthony | 1 | Josh Okogie |
| SF | 6 | Brandon Ingram | 2 | De’Andre Hunter | 1 | Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk |
| PF | 2 | Trey Lyles | 1 | Jonathan Kuminga | 2 | Maxi Kleber |
| C | 1 | Kevon Looney | 1 | Marquese Chriss | 1 | Precious Achiuwa |
Current Roster
| PG | 4 | Lonzo Ball | 1 | Bruce Brown | 1 | Ziaire Williams |
| SG | 2 | De’Andre Hunter | 2 | Seth Curry | 1 | Lance Stephenson |
| SF | 6 | Brandon Ingram | 1 | Jonathan Kuminga | ||
| PF | 8 | Anthony Davis | 3 | Richaun Holmes | 1 | Nikola Jovic |
| C | 5 | Jarrett Allen | 1 | Precious Achiuwa |
Draft picks: Nikola Jovic (27), JD Davidson (58)
Future firsts: 24 First
The Nets have been busy this summer firstly by trading for Rudy Gobert but then trading him for Jarrett Allen, they also managed to get Anthony Davis for a fairly low price. I think both these moves put the Nets into contention. The only thing which will stop them having a good season is injuries, Lonzo seems to have a long term injury and we know Davis’s injury record. The bench isn’t the strongest in the league but if the starts can stay on the floor, they could be 2-3 in the conference.
Despite only having one pick over the next 3 years, it doesn’t matter to much when you consider the age of the team Ball (24), Hunter (24), Ingram (25), Davis (29) and Allen (24)
Short term: A+ – I might go as far to say that the Nets are the most improved team in obtaining two all star bigs and will be challenging those 76ers.
Long Term: A – Clearly the Davis trade was to improve now, how are injuries going to affect Davis in 3 years time will be interesting, but he will still be young enough to have a big impact if he can stay fit. As mentioned there is a good young core and I think Jovic will be a starter in the league in a few years time.
New York Knicks
Original Roster
| PG | 1 | Immanuel Quickley | 2 | Derrick Rose | 1 | Miles McBride |
| SG | 2 | Anthony Edwards | 5 | Victor Oladipo | 2 | Ish Smith |
| SF | 6 | Gordon Hayward | 1 | Cam Reddish | 1 | Wayne Ellington |
| PF | 1 | Bobby Portis | 1 | Jaden McDaniels | 1 | Troy Brown Jr |
| C | 2 | Evan Mobley | 1 | DJ Wilson | 1 | Joe Weiskamp |
Current Roster
| PG | 6 | Kyle Lowry | 3 | Derrick Rose | 1 | Immanuel Quickley |
| SG | 3 | Anthony Edwards | 1 | Dyson Daniels | 1 | Kennedy Chandler |
| SF | 6 | Gordon Hayward | 1 | Victor Oladipo | 1 | TyTy Washington |
| PF | 8 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 1 | Xavier Tillman | 1 | Terence Davis |
| C | 1 | Bobby Portis | 2 | Kevon Looney | 1 | David Roddy |
Draft Picks: Dyson Daniels (13), TyTy Washington (23), David Roddy (36)
Future Firsts: Knicks 24
Another team which has been busy in the trade market. The Knicks roster had been heading in the right direction for a long term rebuild after drafting ANT, Mobley and McDaniel’s in recent years. However they have now gone into compete mode, but have still managed to retain some long term prospects.
The addition of Giannis is an obvious game changer, if he stays injury free, it automatically makes the Knicks a play off team. How far they go into the play offs could be dependent on this seasons play of Daniels, Oladipo and ANT. Im making the assumption Edwards is going to make a jump and a player update used.
Trades for Looney and Tillman whilst not headline news, will really add to the front court and bring some solid defence to the team. I like the balance of the roster, which gives the Knicks plenty of flexibility in future seasons despite only having one first round pick over the next 3 years.
Short Term: A- – Vast improvement on last season record is going to happen, but maybe just lacking at the PG/SF positions to be DTNBA champions in my view.
Long Term: B+ – Losing Mobley you would think the rating might take abit of a hit, but Giannis is still going to be at an all-star level for at least the next 4-5 years. There is some age at the PG position, but with Quickley, Daniels, Tyty and Kennedy Chandler one or them should be able to lead the team in the future.
Philadelphia 76ers
Original Roster
| 9 | Stephen Curry | 1 | Jarred Vanderbilt | ||
| 1 | Jordan Poole | 2 | Jonathan Isaac | ||
| 7 | Kawhi Leonard | 2 | Chris Boucher | 1 | Oshae Brisset |
| 6 | Kristaps Porziņģis | 1 | Jarrett Allen | ||
| 6 | Nikola Vučević | 1 | Tony Bradley | 1 | Boban Marjanovic |
Current Roster
| PG | 10 | Stephen Curry | 1 | Jordan Poole | ||
| SG | 8 | Kawhi Leonard | 1 | Simone Fontecchio | ||
| SF | 1 | Jarred Vanderbilt | 1 | Nathan Knight | ||
| PF | 5 | Nikola Vučević | 1 | Trendon Watford | 1 | DeMarcus Cousins |
| C | 7 | Joel Embiid | 1 | Tony Bradley | 1 | Boban Marjanovic |
Draft picks: Jaylin Williams (45)
Future Picks: 76ers 23, Cavs 23, Jazz 24, Suns 25 and Hornets 25
Im going to be controversial and say that the 76ers aren’t as strong as their original roster. There is no denying that Embiid is a future hall of fame player, but the roster just looks to paper thin. Especially when you consider Kawhi, Fontecchio and Boban cant play until they reach 250 mins. There could be some early defeats for the 76ers until Kawhi hits the 250 mark.
No doubt the 76ers are going to be in the picture to win the Championship, but they are going to need to avoid injuries in order to do so.
Long term I still see the 76ers being contenders, Jordan Poole is going to be an all star, Curry aint retiring anytime soon and that Cavs pick in 23 could bring another superstar to the roster.
Short Term – A+ Still the team to beat in the East
Long Term – B+ – Plenty of firsts with the Cavs 23 being a stand out, but what levels will Kawhi and Curry be in 3 years time?
Toronto Raptors
Original Roster
| PG | 5 | Fred VanFleet | 1 | Elfrid Payton | 4 | Gary Harris |
| SG | 1 | Tyrese Haliburton | 1 | Chris Duarte | 1 | Matt Thomas |
| SF | 1 | P.J. Washington | 1 | Nicolas Batum | 1 | E’Twaun Moore |
| PF | 2 | Dario Saric | 2 | Cedi Osman | 1 | Jae’Sean Tate |
| C | 2 | Jaxson Hayes | 1 | Mike Muscala | ||
| 1 | Neemias Queta | 1 | Jalen Harris |
Current Roster
| PG | 1 | Tyrese Haliburton | 1 | Elfrid Payton | 5 | Gary Harris | ||
| SG | 4 | Fred VanFleet | 1 | Chris Duarte | 1 | Jalen Harris | ||
| SF | 1 | P.J. Washington | 1 | Max Strus | 1 | E’Twaun Moore | ||
| PF | 2 | Dario Šarić | 2 | Cedi Osman | 1 | Jae’Sean Tate | ||
| C | 2 | Jaxson Hayes | 1 | Mike Muscala | 1 | DJ Wilson | 1 | Walker Kessler |
Draft Picks: Walker Kessler (20)
Future Firsts: Own picks in 23,24 and 25
The Raptors have had a quiet offseason with no major moves besides some potential bench players. They got into the play offs last season and I see them sneaking in again this season. I don’t see them getting past the first round, but when you look at the young talent on the team this is a team which is going to get better in my opinion. Hayes and Washington probaly havent shown their full potential yet and Haliburton has an out side chance of being be an all star this season.
Nuno has drafted well in the past and having his own picks in the next 3 years will help for the long term but I don’t see any of these picks being top 10 range so it might be a case the Raptors are stuck in abit of no mans land.
Short Term: C – Borderline playoff team who has made limited moves.
Long Term: B- – Holding a first in each of the next 3 seasons just tipped this from a C+ plus. As mentioned 3 of the starting 5 I can see getting better over the next couple of seasons, along with Duarte and Walker Kessler but its only likely Haliburton will be a star.
