Four Random Lottery Questions: Week 4

1. Which lottery team will land the best Free Agent and which player will it be?

J: I’m going to go with Philadelphia landing Nikola Pekovic. Pekovic is a restricted free agent and older than Andrew Bynum, but he is a much safer option that can provide the same type of post-scoring and rebounding. He will also come at a much cheaper price, adding to the value of the Montenegrin center. Jrue Holiday and Co. will love having such a blue-collar player.

R: Orlando has $15 million to spend in FA, and there’s talk about possibly trading Arron Afflalo.  One possible scenario is Orlando drafting Anthony Bennett to match with Davis and Vucevic.  Mayo would slide into the SG position next to Jameer Nelson at PG and Tobias Harrias at SF.  This would give them a go-to scoring option and more athleticism.

2. Which lottery team will have the best draft?

J: Cleveland. They have the first overall pick as well as four picks in the Top 33 picks. This kind of value and flexibility will allow them to trade up/down or package picks for trade targets.

R: The Cavs are easily set up to have the best draft with two first-round picks.  They’re going to get their guy, because they have the first overall pick.  They need a Center, and it looks like Nerlens Noel will be their first pick.  With their second first-round pick, they could address the SG position.  A guy like Hardaway Jr., Rice Jr., or Crabbe could fit in nicely.

3. What new coach of a lottery team will have the biggest impact?

J: Mike Budenholzer. I automatically trust any guy who has been Greg Poppovich’s lead assistant for the last 15 years, not to mention Atlanta needed a change at head coach more than almost any team. This guy will know how to get the most out of the players already on the roster and develop anyone they bring in.

R: Mike Brown will have the biggest impact in Cleveland.  The Cavs have offensive prowess with Irving and Waiters, but with Brown, the defense will be greatly improved.  Brown’s defensive mind will turn Irving into an all-around star instead of only when he has the ball.  Waiters can become a top perimeter defender in the league under Brown.  If Noel is added to the mix, then the Cavs can be a playoff team next season.

4. Will there be multiple current lottery teams in next year’s playoffs?

J: Yes, I would wager that any two of Dallas, Portland or Minnesota will make the playoffs. Dallas looks to be a big player in free agency and would only need to add one star player to make a run at an eighth seed. Portland has the talent to be a playoff team already, and only needs to add experience to the core of Damian Lilliard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Nicolas Batum. Adding another frontcourt player to replace JJ Hickson (who will not be retained) and a few rotation guys could easily put this team into the playoffs. Minnesota also features a talented core and the flexibility to improve their team in the offseason. As with some of these other teams, staying healthy may be the most important.

R: More than half of the lottery teams will be back next season.  When you think about the Eastern Conference, Miami, New York, Indiana, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn will be back in the playoffs next season.  Milwaukee is the only one in that group that might not be.  In the Western Conference, only the Lakers have a legitimate shot at missing the playoffs, and that’s only if Dwight Howard bolts for Texas.  But it’s still hard to imagine Kobe letting that happen.  Barring injuries, I’d say most of this year’s lottery teams will be back next year.