The NBA is a cold, brutal beast. If you don’t have one or more superstar players, you’re left behind to rot. If you don’t have any, you’re probably the Philadelphia 76ers.

While it can be an ugly world when you’re not in the NBA playoffs, there is always hope in the form of the NBA Draft and free agency. We get to see that up close and personal on Tuesday night, as the league’s Draft Lottery gets underway and we finally learn the exact order to be seen live at the 2015 NBA Draft on June 26th. From there, anything can happen.

The top pick is going to go to who it’s going to. Fate has that figured out, and by the end of tonight, we’ll all know who picks first and who shall follow. But who should it be? Let’s take a look at five teams that were pretty bad during the 2014-15 NBA season and why luck should fall their way:

Philadelphia 76ers

Some have dubbed them the “Tankers” for mailing in season after season, and rightfully so. But the Sixers seem to actually have a plan in play, one that involves stock-piling young talent and high draft picks. They can’t go any higher than number one, and with a 15.6% shot at this year’s top pick, they could be in for a fun night. It’d get even better if the rest of the draft lottery shook out their way, as protected picks by the Lakers and Heat could become Philly’s if their first rounders slide out of the top-five and top-10, respectively. Just like that, the awful 76ers could own three picks inside the first 11 picks.

The odds of the Lakers (82.8%) and Heat (88.9%) holding onto those picks seem pretty good, but it’s fun to think about the dream scenario for the Sixers tonight.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have been rumored to be interested in shopping their first round draft pick, but perhaps if it actually sticks inside the top-five this year, they may think again. They will lose the pick to the aforementioned Sixers if it’s not inside the top-five, but with an 11.9% chance at the top overall selection, they have great odds in securing a high draft pick. Even if it’s not the top pick, the Lakers could do some serious damage with a top-five talent, where guys like Justise Winslow, Stanley Johnson or Emmanuel Mudiay become relevant. Pair that with a healthy Kobe Bryant, Julius Randle and some moves in free agency, and the historic Lakers could come back to life this year.

New York Knicks

Non-Knicks fans are loving the death of the Knickerbockers right now, but it’s pretty obvious the Knicks being as bad as they are isn’t good for the NBA. It’s not good for the Knicks, and it’s just not good for anybody. If you like tradition and the top teams taking each other down, you’re for the Knicks at least climbing their way back up to mediocrity. They can start that if they land the top pick and secure one of the top two big men in this draft. With the second best odds to do so (19.9% chance), we just might see it happen.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota is a very interesting team, as they have the best odds (25%) at snagging the top pick, yet they actually have a lot of talent on their roster right now. They have true foundation pieces in point guard Ricky Rubio and swing man Andrew Wiggins, and landing a mean post presence could push them right back to the brink of the playoffs. That’d be pretty cool considering they just traded away Kevin Love last summer.

Oklahoma City Thunder

We could talk about the Orlando Magic finally getting a big break ever since Dwight Howard left them for dead, the offensively inept Hornets getting a spark or the Pistons getting an important piece to push them back into playoff contention. None of that is as fun as an already stacked Thunder team getting even richer, though. Of the 14 teams in tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery, they have the lowest chance (0.5%) at stealing the top pick. Doing so would be amazing, though, as they could then save a ton of cash at center by drafting the likes of Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns instead of paying up for Enes Kanter.

The Thunder have made a switch at coach and could be saying goodbye to Kevin Durant after this year, but landing a stud post player with the #1 pick could seriously turn things right back around for them.

Ultimately, we’d prefer if the winner of tonight’s lottery was a complete surprise, regardless of who it ends up being. That’d mean no Timberwolves, Sixers, Lakers or Knicks. However, that’s probably what we’re in for. The team with the best odds never wins, though, so we’re ruling out the T’Wolves. Instead, let’s pull for the 76ers to get that sweet trifecta.

Think the Thunder beat the odds, the Sixers get rewarded for tanking or someone else entirely snags the top pick? Tell us in the comments below!

We’ve seen a few surprises so far during the 2015 NBA playoffs. The defending champion Spurs getting ousted in round one is one of them. The league’s two top-seeded teams could see the same fate in round two. With all of the craziness that’s already gone down, it’s fair to wonder what other unlikely happenings are on the horizon.

The Los Angeles Clippers advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever could be one of them. With a massive win in game four, the Clips took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets. With three chances to take the series and move on, an even crazier notion is organically proposed: can this Clippers squad make a run at the title?

It does sound crazy, but perhaps it’s not quite as ridiculous as it may have sounded last year or the year before. L.A. certainly hasn’t had a rich history in the league – specifically in the playoffs. But there is something different about this year’s team. Let’s break down the key reasons why we just can’t write the Clippers off going forward:

Paging Doctor Rivers

Of all the coaches remaining in this year’s playoffs, only one has an NBA title. That’s Doc Rivers, and he coaches the Clippers. Naturally, Rivers has the experience to guide L.A. through the murky waters of the playoffs and he also has excellent in-game management. On the off chance things aren’t going the Clips’ way, Rivers can adapt on the fly.

Shake and Blake

Blake Griffin has been everything for the Clippers, as he’s been scoring, rebounding and dishing dimes at an alarming rate. Griffin was huge versus the Spurs, even bigger with Chris Paul out against the Rockets in the first two games and he’s only blown up more at home in games three and four. If he can keep this up, it’s hard not to favor L.A. to reach the Finals. And even if his numbers die down a bit, he still is part of an extremely potent offense.

Fading Field

The rest of the field just isn’t imposing. Out east you have the Cavs without Kevin Love, the Wizards without John Wall, a suddenly banged up (again) Bulls squad and a seemingly weak #1 seeded Hawks team. In the West, the top-seeded Warriors remain but have come out flat, the Grizzlies lack a consistent offensive punch and the Rockets haven’t proven to be worthy competition just yet.

Inside/Outside Attack

The best thing about the Clippers is that they have the goods from top to bottom to play anyone’s game. They had the balance to upset the Spurs, the scoring to take down the Rockets and they have the point guard play and interior man-eaters to take down just about anyone else, as well. That doesn’t make the Clips a total lock to beat the Warriors or Grizzlies in round three, but it gives them a fantastic chance.

Depth, Rising

The funny thing about L.A. is their horrid depth has somehow come alive at exactly the right time. There is surely concern about wearing down Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan too much, but Glen Davis can be useful in about 12 minutes per game and the Clips look for the rest of their spark via the bench out of Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers. That wasn’t necessarily working during the regular season, but it surely has been lately. If that can keep up, the Clippers would have the bench help they’d been looking for.

Eye Test

If nothing else convinces you that the Clippers could finally be turning the corner, take a look at what they’ve already done in these playoffs. Not only did they take down the defending champion Spurs in seven games in round one, but they’ve also made it through a Chris Paul injury and have largely destroyed what figured to be a good Rockets team. If the Clippers can edge out the Spurs and blast the Rockets, it’s reasonable to think they can beat just about anyone.

Ultimately, L.A. isn’t guaranteed anything. Title contenders don’t usually come out of nowhere within a year in the NBA. It’s happened before, but it’s come with bigger names on bigger teams. However, L.A. grouped together to take down the Spurs in a grueling first round series and it looks like that made them believers in themselves. Now that they’re one win away from the Western Conference Finals, they just might be adding more believers behind them.

Disagree that the Clippers could be title contenders and think someone else is a lock to win the 2015 NBA Finals? Let us hear it in the comments below!

The 2015 NBA Playoffs are alive and well, but now that we’re in the second round it’s time to start thinking about how this thing could end. Before the 2014-15 NBA season got started, many NBA experts were taking a side – either LeBron James would lead his Cleveland Cavaliers to a title or the defending champion San Antonio Spurs would repeat.

Here we are in the semifinals, and the Spurs have been eliminated and the Cavs don’t resemble a true contender. Kevin Love is done for the remainder of the playoffs and J.R. Smith will miss his second game when Cleveland tries to avoid a 2-0 hole on Wednesday night. So, if we’re to believe the Cavs are doomed and the Spurs are gone, who can we expect to win it all?

Let’s break down all of the other teams that are still alive and come away with a proposed winner for the 2015 NBA Finals:

Golden State Warriors

Golden State still has to be the top favorite out West. Stephen Curry didn’t look like an MVP in game two and the Grizzlies won’t go away quietly, but the Warriors still have a severe home court advantage and are easily the most explosive and balanced team in the league. That being said, their main weakness – interior defense – is going to be tested from this point on.

Atlanta Hawks

It’s not by accident that the Hawks were the top seed in the Eastern Conference. However, their balanced attack lacks a true go-to star and both their offense and defense can come and go at times. That being said, they survived an early scare to go back to D.C. with the series tied and they appear to have all the necessary tools to make a deep playoff run. If Al Horford can stay healthy, the Hawks remain a real threat to emerge out of the East.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls looked like they were merely getting by during the regular season, and thanks to chemistry and consistency issues due to numerous injuries, that’s probably true. They’ve been fully healthy for a while now, and that game six clincher against the Bucks was devastating for the rest of the league. Then they went into Cleveland and won game one to start round two. A lot of it depends on the health of Derrick Rose, but this just might be the new favorite to carve a route to the NBA Finals.

Houston Rockets

On the surface, the Rockets have the best inside/outside punch remaining in these playoffs, as James Harden can kill you in just about every way and Dwight Howard can hold down the fort down low on both ends. Of course, despite having a strong defense and good depth during the season, neither have really shown up consistently in these playoffs. Dallas scored seemingly at will in round one and the Clips dropped 117 points on the Rockets in Houston in game one. If Houston’s defense doesn’t show up, their title hopes could quickly dwindle.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are an interesting bunch, as they have a great head coach in Doc Rivers, proved their worth by topping the Spurs in a brutal seven game series and somehow beat the Rockets in game one, sans Chris Paul. The awful depth everyone talks about when discussing the Clips hasn’t hurt them yet, as Blake Griffin has turned in a monstrous post-season and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. If Paul can return and be as good in this series as he was in round one, L.A. could advance and be a real threat to make it to the Finals.

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis has a top-three defense in the playoffs as we speak and with a healthy Mike Conley, we probably can’t rule them out of their second round series against the Warriors. Conley returned in heroic fashion last night, dropping 22 points on the Warriors at the Oracle Arena in a big win. Of course, Conley isn’t always this efficient offensively and Golden State simply doesn’t lose at home (just their third home loss of the entire season). If the Warriors can get just one road win and hold serve at home the rest of the way, they’ll move on.

Washington Wizards

Washington is probably a fun pick if you’re only living in the moment, but there is an argument both ways. On one side, they have one of the top floor generals in John Wall, have outside shooting via Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce and have the bigs to battle with just about anyone. Head coach Randy Wittman has steered them wrong before, though, and Wall’s current wrist injury could be a lingering issue. They’re a team on the rise, but rising all the way up to become NBA champs doesn’t look to be in the cards just yet.

The Pretenders: Grizzlies and Wizards

Memphis has a good defense and if they can control the tempo of a game, they can steal some big wins. However, they don’t have the offense to compete consistently with the elite teams in the West and their depth isn’t the best in terms of being able to rely on their bench for a big spark. Washington is very similar, but the big thing holding them back is their coaching. Wall’s injury could be key, too, while their offense can hit dry spells.

The Contenders: Warriors, Hawks, Bulls, Clippers and Rockets…and Cavaliers

Yeah, there are five of them. Six if you don’t overreact to Cleveland having some horrid luck of late (although I think they’re a sinking ship). The first two are the top seeds and play the best defense, and also happen to have two of the most efficient offenses. The Clippers hang on Chris Paul’s status, but they’re in the mix if he can return and Griffin keeps doing what he’s been doing. Houston is a contender on paper, but their defense needs to vastly improve – and fast.

The Champ: Bulls

I don’t even know if I believe my own thoughts, but Chicago looks like the most complete team on paper. They’re so deep right now that Nikola Mirotic isn’t even getting serious minutes, while they’re a matchup problem as long as they pick the right guy to feed throughout the game. From Derrick Rose to Pau Gasol, they have the goods on offense and their team defense has gotten back to the point where you can see a title contender coming together. They could fall flat in the Finals against superior West offenses, but they’re at least getting there.

Think someone else will win it all in 2015? Tell us who in the comments below!

The 2015 NBA playoffs are still alive and well for several teams, but for all of those teams and fans that have been ousted or didn’t even make it, the 2015-16 NBA season couldn’t come soon enough. The 2015 NBA Draft will surely shape things for us, but one of the biggest avenues for teams to change their fortunes dramatically is free agency. This year could yield a ton of turnover, too, with several big names hitting unrestricted free agency and a few big names potentially changing hands as restricted free agents, as well.

There’s no telling how the playoffs will reshape things over the next two months or what is going on in player’s minds, but we do know which guys have one foot out the door and whether or not they’ll be in high demand. We can probably safely assume, even with player options, that guys like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will be back with their respective clubs, while the Spurs and Warriors aren’t going to let Kawhi Leonard or Draymond Green get away. There are a few star players that could take off, though, and for good reason. With that, let’s take a look at six big names we could see moving on to a new scene this summer:

Goran Dragic, PG, Miami Heat (Player Option)

Dragic was a sitting duck with the Phoenix Suns, who saw the writing on the wall and dealt him to Miami right at the trade deadline. The Heat happened to be one of Dragic’s preferred destinations, but it’s been no secret that he’s going to opt out and try to get a major deal as an unrestricted free agent. While he liked South Beach at first, the Heat failed to make the playoffs and both Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng could potentially opt out of their deals. That could make The Dragon feel a tad uneasy. Should he decide Miami isn’t his long-term home, he shouldn’t want for suitors. He’s a legit starting point guard and can help push the right team up a peg or two. Legendary franchises like the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers could reel him in to build their squads back up, while the Dallas Mavericks are also said to be one of his preferred landing spots.

Verdict: Dallas

The Dragon is going to want a combination of money, role and ability to win. He might find it all in Dallas. The Mavs are a team built to make playoff runs right now but lack a true point guard. Thanks to a messy divorce with Rajon Rondo, they could turn to Dragic to rescue their offense.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (Unrestricted)

LaMarcus Aldridge has bled red and black, but it’s gotten him nowhere in the playoffs as the Blazers have constantly lacked the coaching and/or supporting cast to get him to the next level. Ridge has been a strong force at both ends and may be ready to finish his career elsewhere. The Blazers are probably still his preferred destination in an ideal world and they certainly can pay him, but going elsewhere may be the final call if he wants to win. The Mavericks figure to be players, while other playoff contenders such as the Spurs (should Tim Duncan retire) could show serious interest.

Verdict: Stays home

Ultimately, Aldridge is probably going to test the waters, only to stay home. He said he’d love to retire as “the best Blazer ever”, after all.

Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (Restricted)

Love is probably a goner. He was probably down with the trade out of Minnesota for a chance to chase a title, but the pressure and negative attention he’s gotten all year long has arguably pushed him to the brink of insanity. His own teammates haven’t been 100% supportive through it all, while there was no guarantee he was ever going to sign a long-term deal with the Cavs. That’s still a possibility, but Love has expressed interest in being a max player and he’s also shown an eye for the big stage. That could set him up in a city like Los Angeles or New York.

The early word is that if Love does indeed leave Cleveland, the Lakers are the team to watch. Kobe Bryant will be back, The Black Mamba also wants Rajon Rondo in town and Love went to school at UCLA. In fact, he even has had good things to say about Rondo and was once rumored to be interested in being traded to the Celtics when Rondo was still in town.

Verdict: L.A.

Love is bound for the bright lights of L.A. The Lakers have been sinking for the past two years and a trio of Bryant, Rondo and Love could potentially revive them. They might not win a title next year, but Love is a major building block they’d love to have. Odds are he wouldn’t mind being the center of attention in a familiar place, either.

Enes Kanter, C, Oklahoma City Thunder (Restricted)

Kanter doesn’t strike me as a guy that is all about loyalty. He feuded with the Jazz openly while he was still a member of the team and was fairly harsh once he got his wish and was traded away. Though he crushed it in OKC after the All-Star break, he would have loved starting anywhere that wasn’t Utah. He seems to be a great fit in Oklahoma City, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to stay there. Kanter is going to do what is best for Kanter, which probably means the most money and the most playing time. That could still be OKC, but teams wanting size and offense down low are going to pitch huge offers. That probably puts the Lakers and Knicks on the map.

Verdict: NYC

I’m sure the Thunder would love to keep Kanter in town, but he’s going to be an unfortunate casualty of the times. Kevin Durant is a free agent after this season and Russell Westbrook isn’t too far behind. Is Kanter really worth risking keeping both of those guys together? The answer in every way is no. On top of that, Kanter is a major defensive liability. He was fun to have around, but OKC can let Westbrook/Durant carry the offense and get Steven Adams back in the starting lineup.

Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets (Player Option)

I can’t see why Lopez wouldn’t opt out and test the free agent waters. Most players enjoy the process, but Lopez should especially want to see what else is out there after being caught up in trade rumors all year long. That had to hurt his pride a bit, while he also would have to keep wondering what Brooklyn has planned for him. The Nets seem to be a bit of a mess, and if Lopez can see that he’s going to jump ship. He’s also had troublesome foot issues, so he’d be smart to get out of his current deal and follow the money. Lopez will have a number of suitors due to effective big men not growing on trees, but we can probably expect the Thunder, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Nuggets and possibly even the Bucks to come calling.

Verdict: Thunder

OKC is going to let Kanter walk, so maybe they can talk Lopez into somewhat of a discount to come play for a legit contender. Lopez is just as bad as Kanter on defense, but he at least can block shots and is probably even better on offense. OKC was also tied to Lopez in trade rumors before landing Kanter and if he’s open to taking less they can solve their center issue.

Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)

Gasol is another guy some fear could follow the bright lights out of town. Memphis has consistently been among the league’s best teams, but they’ve never been able to take that next step. Due to that, it’s possible Gasol tries to aim a little higher in a bigger city with more upside. His brother Pau got traded out of Memphis years ago and wound up winning two titles with the Lakers, so perhaps he thinks the same could happen for him. The Lakers and Knicks would probably be the front-runners to land him if he got serious about leaving.

Verdict: Stays home

Leaving might be the more interesting idea, but Gasol has to know that moving on to L.A. or New York wouldn’t carry any guarantees. Memphis can offer him the most money, too, while he can plead in negotiations that they add better offensive pieces to take the next step. One way or another, the Grizz will make sure they don’t lose a Gasol for the second time.

Got a hot NBA free agent you think will be on the move but didn’t make our list or don’t agree with our verdicts? Let us hear it in the comments below!