We're talking about the big trades, the big free agents, the big decisions to come.
Our NBA Insiders go 5-on-5 on what to expect in the next few weeks.
Los Angeles Lakers
What kind of trade would you like to see the Lakers make?
Kevin Pelton: I'd love to see them explore trading Lou Williams to a team that gets sticker shock from the higher prices of similar reserve guards this summer.
As for something bolder, I'd consider offering the Philadelphia 76ers Russell for Nerlens Noel and the return of next year's protected pick. As much as I like Russell, there's a chance the Lakers sign a free agent point guard next summer (perhaps one who shares his first name with Russell's last name).
Meanwhile, as I noted in arguing the Lakers should pursue Whiteside, the market for centers next summer is dismal. Noel would be a great fit defensively and his low cap hold would preserve much of the Lakers' precious space if they waited to re-sign him as a restricted free agent.
More questions:
Who are the core Lakers for the long term?
What other moves do you expect from the Lakers?
Are the Lakers still one of the top NBA destinations?
How many playoff appearances will the Lakers make in the next five seasons?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder
What is Kevin Durant likely to do?
Kevin Arnovitz: If you're Durant, why not take the LeBron Plan -- a two-year deal with the second year a player option? This allows Durant to kick the can down the road for a year and give it one last go with Westbrook, whose contract expires in the summer of 2017. At that point, Durant can make a long-term decision that takes into account Westbrook's intentions.
More questions:
What kind of trades should OKC consider?
What other moves do you expect from the Thunder?
Fact or Fiction: The Thunder should bring back Dion Waiters.
If the Thunder were a stock, and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Thunder
Atlanta Hawks
Fact or Fiction: Atlanta should offer Al Horford a max contract.
Kevin Pelton: It certainly shouldn't be their first offer, given the likelihood that the last year of that contract ($33.6 million in 2020-21, when Horford will be 34) will get ugly. But if it's the only way to re-sign Horford, I would reluctantly say yes because I think another team would still be willing to acquire Horford early in the deal, when it's more favorable, should the Hawks go another direction.
More questions:
What should the Hawks do this offseason?
Fact or Fiction: Atlanta should offer Kent Bazemore a big contract.
If the Hawks were a stock and you were looking ahead three years, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Hawks
Boston Celtics
Should the Celtics stay the course or make moves to contend for the title next season?
Bradford Doolittle: Boston's biggest star is its coach, Brad Stevens. On the roster, they have a number of solid young professionals. Now is the time to make a splash and bring some definition to a squad laden with redundancy. Go get a top big man (like Al Horford, Dwight Howard or Brook Lopez) and a scoring wing (Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, DeMar DeRozan), and this all comes into focus.
More questions:
Which potential free agents should Boston keep?
What other moves do you expect from the Celtics this offseason?
You're a GM looking to trade a superstar to Boston. Which players and/or draft picks do you want in return?
Some say the Celtics are not a free-agent destination. What do you say?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Fact or Fiction: The Nets should look to trade Brook Lopez
Kevin Pelton: Fact. I would look to trade him this season. The closer Lopez gets to free agency, the more likely his trade value is to decline, and he'll always be at risk of recurrence of the foot injuries that sidelined him for most of 2011-12 and 2013-14. At the same time, with so many starting-caliber centers on the market this summer, Lopez could prove more valuable in a year. So I wouldn't move him just for the sake of moving him.
More questions:
Fact or Fiction: The Nets have the worst future in the NBA.
What other moves do you expect from the Nets?
Fact or Fiction: Brooklyn will be a major free-agent destination in the next five years.
What should provide the most hope for Nets fans?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Nets
Charlotte Hornets
What is the ideal Hornets frontcourt of the future?
Justin Verrier: Their base look -- Williams at 4, Zeller at the 5 -- works. Zeller, with his aw-shucks demeanor, may not be the sexiest option, but his screen-setting, improving midrange game and physical defense allowed the Hornets to bomb away at the league's fourth-highest rate.
Clifford can adjust, as evidenced by the retro look when Al Jefferson plays, but the Hornets should add more options with range, speed and passing, not limit themselves with a high-priced, older and often injured star like Dwight Howard.
More questions:
How should Charlotte prioritize its free agents?
What other moves do you expect from the Hornets this offseason?
From 0 to 10, how desirable a destination will Charlotte be for players in the near future?
Have the Hornets peaked or are they rising?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Should the Bulls trade or build around Jimmy Butler?
Kevin Pelton: From the outside, I think they should build around Butler. What we don't know is how legitimate the concerns are about Butler's chemistry with his teammates and coach Fred Hoiberg. If those problems are likely to continue, Butler's trade value is presumably near its peak. However, it's always challenging to get equal value in return for a star player, so I would be inclined to keep Butler.
More questions:
How should the Bulls prioritize bringing back their veterans?
What other moves do you expect from the Bulls?
What trades would make the most sense for the Bulls?
If the Bulls were a stock, and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Will and should the Cavs trade Kevin Love?
Tom Haberstroh: Yes, and I think they should. I overestimated Love's defensive potential when he came to Cleveland, and it's clear he needs to be on a team with a defensive center where he can flourish as a top option. Boston, Utah and New York should be blowing up Cleveland GM David Griffin's phone with text messages.
More questions:
What Kevin Love trade would make sense?
What other kinds of trades or moves do you advise and expect for Cleveland?
How many NBA titles will the Cavs win in the next five seasons?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Cavs
Dallas Mavericks
What should the Dirk plan be?
Jeremias Engelmann: I think it makes sense for him to play another season, but he might want to call it a career before 2017-18 if the Mavs can't significantly improve the roster. That gives him about a year to share the secrets of his patented one-legged fadeaway with Dallas' bigs.
More questions:
Where do Justin Anderson and Salah Mejri fit into the picture?
What other moves do you expect from the Mavs this offseason?
Is Mark Cuban an example of success for other owners?
If the Mavs were a stock and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
What's a Nuggets trade or free agent acquisition you'd like to see?
Kevin Arnovitz: There's a lot of young talent on the floor for Denver that need reps 'n' run, so the Nuggets should proceed cautiously before they throw a lot of money at high-volume players who eat up a ton of possessions.
Someone at the 3 who can shoot and defend adequately would be a nice addition, particularly if Gallinari isn't part of the future or endures another spate of injuries. Mirza Teletovic would address the first -- not so much the second. Kent Bazemore is likely to command a big number, but if the Nuggets wanted a young, high character wing defender who can shoot a bit, they could pursue that route.
Want to move Gallinari? Check in to see if the Celtics are ready to move one of their defensive minded wings or a future pick.
More questions:
Are the Nuggets appropriately focused on the long term?
What do you foresee and advise for the Nuggets this offseason?
Should the Nuggets look to trade Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and/or Jusuf Nurkic?
How many times will the Nuggets make the playoffs in the next five seasons?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Fact or Fiction: Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond are a championship-level foundation.
Kevin Pelton: Fiction. Look at the best players on championship teams in modern NBA history. They've generally been top-10 players, and I'm not sure Drummond will get to that point. Jackson has the potential to become an above-average No. 2 option, but is unlikely to end up better than Drummond.
More questions:
In a "pre-offseason" trade, the Pistons used their cap space to acquire Tobias Harris in February. Good move or not?
What other moves do you expect from the Pistons this offseason?
Agree or disagree: Detroit's progress supports the idea of a coach-president.
How many playoff series will Detroit win in the next three years?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Fact or fiction: The Warriors should pay Harrison Barnes the max, if necessary.
Amin Elhassan: Fact, but only if the other options on the market have been exhausted. Although Barnes is only 24, Golden State's window for championships is now. The Warriors must do whatever they can do to exploit this window, even if that means letting a talented young player walk to gain several more pieces.
More questions:
Fact or fiction: The Warriors should pay Festus Ezeli $15 million per season, if necessary.
What other moves do you expect from the Warriors?
Rank these players in terms of how important they are to the Warriors going forward: Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
If the Warriors were a stock, and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Warriors
Houston Rockets
Is James Harden a reliable foundation for the Rockets' future?
David Thorpe: He is, simply because he is clearly one of the world's best players. He has personality issues that prevent him from being a better leader, but men can grow and change, something a new coach can help to happen.
Remember when Zach Randolph was a guy no one wanted to be around? Now he is the Mayor of Memphis and deservedly so. It's mandatory to spend money on guys, though, who fit well with how Harden is and how he plays.
More questions:
What other moves do you expect from the Rockets this offseason?
How do you assess Houston GM Daryl Morey?
If the Rockets were a stock and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Rockets
Indiana Pacers
What's your take on the hiring of Nate McMillan as head coach?
Kevin Pelton: While he doesn't exactly fit Bird's stated desire to play faster, McMillan can transition the Pacers to the four-out style Bird wants the Pacers to play. Remember, McMillan's 2004-05 Sonics team that played eventual champion San Antonio as tough as anyone in the playoffs relied heavily on Vladimir Radmanovic as a stretch-4, and some of McMillan's best Blazers lineups had LaMarcus Aldridge in the middle with Gerald Wallace sliding down to power forward.
If retaining assistant Dan Burke can help Indiana maintain its defensive integrity, McMillan's ability to build offenses that combine lots of 3s with strong offensive rebounding could juice the offense.
More questions:
Should the Pacers get a stretch 4 and play smaller and faster?
What other moves do you expect from the Pacers this offseason?
What do you expect from Myles Turner next season and beyond?
What's the Pacers' most likely path to getting another star?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
For several years, there has been talk of breaking up the Clippers. What is your take on this idea?
Kevin Arnovitz: If you break it up, what exactly are you getting in return? As currently constituted, let's say the Clippers have a 10-15 percent chance of getting where they want to go. Not great, but a puncher's chance. If detonating yields a series of deals that moves that number to 20 percent, go for it. But if there's little value in return, they're probably better off playing the 7-1 or 8-1 odds.
More questions:
If the Clippers move one of the big three, who should it be?
What other moves do you expect from the Clippers this offseason?
Austin Rivers has a player option. If he becomes a free agent, what will and should the Clippers do?
If the Clippers were a stock and you were looking ahead five years, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Clippers
Miami Heat
Fact or Fiction: The Heat will compete for the East title within the next two seasons.
Amin Elhassan: Elhassan: Fact. Pat Riley might be the best executive of the modern era, and when people talk about Miami being a free agent destination, what they really mean is "Riley is a great recruiter." No one has mastered the art of the overhaul quite like Riles.
More questions:
What should the Heat do about aging superstar Dwyane Wade?
What should the Heat do about veteran forward Luol Deng?
What role should big man Chris Bosh play in the Heat's plans for next season and beyond?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Fact or Fiction: The Bucks are smart to use Giannis Antetokounmpo as the primary point guard.
David Thorpe: Fiction. That's not to say he can't be a point guard in games. But freeing him up to fill lanes on the break is a great way to get him easy buckets and stretch the defense vertically when trying to defend him.
I'd like to see him push the ball himself when he gets a rebound (which can happen more if he is defending bigger guys who are slashing more or trying to rebound themselves), but race the lanes when he doesn't rather than look for an outlet pass. Using him smartly as a point guard rather than solely is the best answer.
More questions:
Who are the core Bucks for the future?
What other moves do you expect from the Bucks?
What should the Bucks do about Greg Monroe?
If the Bucks were a stock, and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Bucks
Memphis Grizzlies
What's your take on the hiring of David Fizdale?
David Thorpe: Memphis was wise to promote assistant coach Dave Joerger in 2013 -- top assistants like Joerger then and Fizdale now should get strong consideration more often.
There are not a lot of similarities between the Miami and Memphis franchises, with the Grizzlies enduring a lot of turmoil the past two years. Perhaps the new coach can help settle down a franchise that has some quality talent on its roster and a great fan base.
More questions:
Memphis general manager Chris Wallace was quoted predicting, "We are going to re-sign Mike Conley." How confident should Wallace be?
What other moves do you expect from the Grlizzies this offseason?
Wallace also predicted a "full recovery" for Marc Gasol after foot surgery. From 0 to 100 percent, how confident should Wallace be?
Should and will the Grizzlies bring back Lance Stephenson?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves
Fact or Fiction: The Timberwolves should spend their cap space this offseason
Kevin Pelton: Fiction. Minnesota will be better positioned to strike in free agency in 2017, when the team will likely be a better draw for top free agents and will have more money available to spend.
More questions:
Three pros and cons of the Thibodeau hire?
Fact or Fiction: We have seen the Wolves' next playoff starting lineup.
What intrigues you most about the Wolves going forward?
How many games will Minnesota win next season?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Wolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Do you see Anthony Davis as a future NBA MVP?
Tom Haberstroh: Yes. His stock took a step backward this season, but admittedly I expected too much from Davis (who was 21 at the start of last season) and coach Alvin Gentry, who had an up-and-down debut season in New Orleans. When he played with Jrue Holiday, he achieved MVP-level basketball. If health cooperates, he'll dazzle once again. But again, New Orleans' track record in that department is ugly.
More questions:
What other moves should the Pelicans make this offseason?
With Anthony Davis starting a four-year deal (plus an option year), how should the Pelicans approach the next four seasons?
What trade would you like to see New Orleans make?
If the Pelicans were a stock and you were looking ahead three years, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Jazz
New York Knicks
Is it time for the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony to part ways?
Amin Elhassan: Melo's no-trade clause notwithstanding, it's time to aggressively shop him. If they can get a first-round pick for him, great. But waiting until after the first week of free agency might yield some desperate suitors who have struck out in the market and want something to show for their cap space.
More questions:
Was Jeff Hornacek the best hire for New York?
What other moves do you expect from the Knicks this offseason?
Is Phil Jackson part of the problem or part of the solution?
If the Knicks were a stock and you were looking five years ahead, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Knicks
Orlando Magic
What's your take on the hiring of Frank Vogel as coach?
Amin Elhassan: One man's trash is another man's treasure; where Larry Bird saw unfulfilled expectation, the Magic will find excellent preparation, defensive execution and a guy who can connect with today's player. Both Orlando and Frank Vogel got upgrades today.
More questions:
Bringing Dwight Howard back to Orlando as a free agent: good idea or bad idea?
What other moves do you expect from the Magic this offseason?
How many long-term building blocks do the Magic have?
Fact or Fiction: Orlando will make the playoffs by 2019.
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Should the Sixers trade Nerlens Noel and/or Jahlil Okafor?
Kevin Pelton: If Embiid is healthy, it's hard to see how the Sixers find enough playing time for him, Noel and Okafor when Simmons should ideally be playing power forward and Noel and Okafor were wildly ineffective together last season. So yeah, I'd be looking to trade one of them -- probably Okafor because my perception of his trade value exceeds how I'd value him.
More questions:
What do you expect from Joel Embiid going forward?
What other moves do you expect from the Sixers this offseason?
What should the Sixers' goals be for 2016-17?
How many 50-win seasons will Philadelphia have in the next five years?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Can Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight thrive together in the backcourt?
Tom Haberstroh: Coexist? Yes. That pairing was a respectable plus-4.8 per 100 possessions playing with former Sun Markieff Morris, Tucker and Chandler in 177 minutes of action. That's proof that this backcourt can work, but thriving won't happen with this current roster. I'd suggest shopping Bledsoe, who turns 27 in December, but his knee injury will complicate trade talks.
More questions:
What do you foresee and advise for the Suns this offseason?
What should the Suns' short-term goals be?
What's a Suns trade you would like to see?
If the Suns were a stock and you were looking ahead three years, would you buy, sell or hold?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
What's missing in Portland?
Bradford Doolittle: As well as the Lillard-McCollum-Crabbe backcourt played, in the long run the Blazers are going to need a dynamic defensive presence in the middle to make it work on both ends. Also, you'd like to see a little more of an offensive standout at small forward, though I really like the way Al-Farouq Aminu has come along.
More questions:
Who should be the primary center for Portland going forward?
What other moves do you expect from the Blazers this offseason?
Where will the 2016-17 Blazers finish in the standings?
Fact or Fiction: Damian Lillard will win the West as a Blazer.
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Fact or Fiction: The Kings should keep and build around DeMarcus Cousins.
Tom Haberstroh: Fiction. Ranadive or Cousins -- one's going to have to go before this organization can take a serious step toward relevance. Ranadive has shown almost no ability to maximize a top-10 talent like Cousins. And I don't see Ranadive being the one to step away.
More questions:
Fact or Fiction: Dave Joerger (coach) and Ken Catanella (assistant GM) signal a new day in Sacramento.
What other moves do you expect from the Kings this offseason?
Cousins aside, how many keepers do the Kings have on the roster?
Fact or Fiction: The Kings will make the playoffs by 2019.
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Fact or fiction: In terms of basketball decisions, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili should retire.
Kevin Arnovitz: In basketball terms, probably. But it's unseemly for anyone to tell a grown professional when and why they should stop working.
More questions:
Fact or fiction: Kevin Durant is in play for the Spurs.
What other moves do you expect from the Spurs this offseason?
Who should be the starting PG next season?
Fact or fiction: Before he retires, Gregg Popovich will win one for the other ring finger.
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Are the Raptors about to rise or fall in the East?
Amin Elhassan: Depending on roster tweaks, Toronto should be competing for a top-three seed for the coming future. Continuity is one of the most underrated elements in the NBA. They should stick to the formula that has been paying steady, if not monumental, returns.
More questions:
What do you foresee and advise for the Raptors this offseason?
From 0 to 10, to what degree should the Raptors make Jonas Valanciunas their new offensive cornerstone?
What kind of trade would make the most sense for the Raptors?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Raptors
Utah Jazz
How high, and when, do you see this current Jazz team peaking?
Kevin Pelton: That's the million-dollar question. Without a surefire All-Star, it's tough to see Utah being an elite team. But I could see this deep, versatile group having a run similar to the post-Carmelo Anthony, pre-George Karl firing Denver Nuggets, who won 57 games in 2012-13 before falling in the first round of the playoffs without the injured Danilo Gallinari. That's the upside, I think, with a win total in the mid-50s a more realistic target in a couple of years if the Jazz can re-sign Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward.
Coming soon: The full Jazz 5-on-5.
Washington Wizards
Fact or Fiction: The Wizards have more than one future All-Star on their roster.
Tom Haberstroh: Fact. Look, Beal is 22 years old. He's got plenty of time before he hits his prime, and he's already a borderline candidate when healthy. If he can work on his dribble-drive game and get to the free-throw line more, he's an All-Star.
More questions:
Was Brooks the best coaching hire for Washington?
What other moves do you expect from the Wizards this offseason?
How many games do you expect the Wizards win next season?
For all the answers, check out the 5-on-5 on the future of the Wizards