Many teams are currently in their window (Bucks, Celtics, Suns, Sixers, Nuggets, etc). Who are the teams that are still 2-3 years away, but will be championship juggernauts for years to come?
Many teams are currently in their window (Bucks, Celtics, Suns, Sixers, Nuggets, etc). Who are the teams that are still 2-3 years away, but will be championship juggernauts for years to come?
The difference is the draft picks. The wolves team is more or less what it’ll be moving forward. (Maybe a little unfair, they have a couple trades they could make). The thunder may not even have their best player yet. They could trade a dragons hoard of picks for a superstar in the next couple years. So right now? Yeah I’d take they wolves in a 7 game series but the thunder have the potential to boat race the league in the next few years.
Doesn’t work like that. Only so much salary to go around. Wolves traded all those picks but unless the new owners are willing to shell out a ton in luxury tax they’ll have to go. The new CBA prevents what you’re saying.
OKC can do the same thing but let’s not pretend whoever they get with those picks and their current core can stay together. Chet and SGA will demand super maxes
It restricts things like signing mle for teams who are over the luxury tax, but it doesn’t restrict drafting, which is where the thunders picks come in. Teams over the tax can also make trades as long as they take less salary in then what they send out. So the thunders could still do a sign and trade for example.
But the difference is also 2 more years of playoff experience/development and experienced vets to guide them.
Draft picks don’t equate to championships. Yes it gives flexibility but to win you usually need playoff seasoned stars and years of chemistry built in the playoffs. Ant at 22 has been to the playoffs twice as the #1 option, by the time he is in his prime (26) he could have 6 years of playoff experience.