Among 11 NBA teams in various stages of their respective rebuilds, the Spurs are best positioned for the long run, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Insider link). San Antonio’s place atop the rankings has a lot to do with the presence of Victor Wembanyama on the roster, but Bontemps points to Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and recently acquired point guard De’Aaron Fox as other likely core pieces for the Spurs, who could end up with two more lottery picks this spring.
Interestingly, Bontemps places the Hornets and Wizards at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, on his rebuild rankings, praising Charlotte in particular for its promising collection of young talent. The Trail Blazers and Bulls come in at 10th and 11th on Bontemps’ list, largely because there are questions about whether either team has a franchise player to build around and whether they’ll be in position to land one in the draft anytime soon.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- John Hollinger of The Athletic highlights several of the challenging situations that teams will face in free agency this summer, including the Cavaliers with Ty Jerome, the Nuggets with Russell Westbrook, the Kings with Jake LaRavia, and the Sixers with Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele. Many of those clubs will be limited in what they can offer their free agents, either due to a lack of full Bird rights or tax/apron concerns.
- Meanwhile, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) looks ahead to 2026 and explains why next year’s star-studded free agent class will likely be something of a mirage, given all the contract extensions likely to be signed between now and then.
- ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo (Insider link) spoke to 10 NBA executives about projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, surveying those execs on the Duke freshman’s strengths and weaknesses, his odds of winning a title with the Blue Devils, and whether there’s any chance he decides to stay in school for another year. “I can’t remember a No. 1 pick deciding to go back to school,” one Eastern Conference scout told ESPN.
- Ahead of the NBA playing its first games in Australia this fall, a battle over the ownership of the country’s National Basketball League appears to be brewing. Olgun Uluc of ESPN Australia has the story.
Did not expect that NBL drama was 100% pure “egomaniac billionaires fighting”
Hmm, its almost like nothing good has come from letting people have a billion dollars, or something. All these losers have “innovated” were aggregator websites and ai.
76ers need a trade by dumping George to Hornets then sign whoever players they want
No one will trade for George or Embid without the Sixers taking back equally bad contracts if they even exist.
Not true
Patrick Ewing stayed fir his senior year. When he was the #1 pick. Hakeem came out as a junior. Cause he would’ve been second pick after Ewing. Hakeem was number One pick yr he came out.
Cooper is by far #1 pick. But there is plenty talent in this draft. Ultimately he may not be best player from this draft. He is can’t miss. Draft is full of 19 yr olds.
That was 40ish yrs ago so the league has drastically changed. Flagg is not staying.
Once again Marty shows his ignorance. Full of hate but doesn’t bother to learn anything. Knowledge can cure you lol ……….
“ The National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia, which was saved by Larry Kestelman with an initial investment of $7 million, is now estimated to be worth over $350 million, with individual team valuations ranging from $10 million to $40 million. ”
You understood what Davey/Marty said? I read the ESPN story I couldn’t find anything related to what he was babbling about. I guess he scared off the sheep again? Hoopsrumors is an aggregator website. Does he think Luke Adams is a loser? I don’t think so. But, I’m sure he would like the billion dollars. What does AI have to do with it? Bizarre.
Nothing about billionaires…. In this story or NBL.
Yet somehow always manages to rant and rage and hate about something. Anyone who takes FankenStein serious. Must also be checked.
Don’t see where loser or Luke has anything to do with this. Or is written anywhere.
Are you related to Marty lol. I’m just pointing out his obvious lack of humanity. His inability to discuss or argue about anything. What is your issue
You didn’t read what I wrote, oh well.
The Hornets being at #2 is insane. They’re still getting blown out against bad or tanking teams even with Ball, Bridges and Mark Williams healthy. And, of course, two of those guys very often aren’t healthy to begin with. Plus, they don’t have a treasure trove of assets like some other teams.
Ball can put up stats, but does he drive winning? Doesn’t seem like it, or at least nowhere near where his numbers might indicate. Salaun was a questionable pick at the time and I’ve seen nothing to change that. Miller looks like a good piece, but they need more. This team is atrocious defensively and has been for years.
Not saying the Hornets are in a terrible position, just that #2 seems way too high. I’d maybe have them at 10 ahead of the Blazers.
Have the Hornets even played their top pick from France? Is he in gleague or getting meaningful minutes?
The Fo can be blamed, they haven’t developed a lot of good traits in the locker room. No identity.
Yeah that part made no sense whatsoever
Hornets are terrible and Ball is garbage.
Hornets have been rebuilding since their inception. Worst franchise in sports ….
Go look up all their picks from beginning.