2 UP 2 DOWN REPORT: The Offseason (6-19-19)

By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.

Headline Photo From: NBA India

UP

LA Lakers

“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade (Tom Peters).” “As long as you are going to be thinking anyway, think big (Donald Trump).” “Success is where preparation and opportunity meets (Bobby Unser).” These are quotes from prominent people in life that the LA Lakers have in their head. With LeBron in town, we all knew something big would happen. But with the Warriors losing Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson for a significant amount of time now, the Lakers must take advantage of their opportunity. Adding Anthony Davis will definitely help them. But I think we may just be getting this party started. The Lakers are looking to deal a few contracts to add another max free agent. Having a Big 3 in the NBA normally makes you a title contender. Free agents will flock to you then, because they want to win a championship just as much as everyone else too. LeBron missed a lot of time last season due to injury.

The world began to consider KD the best player in the world. Even at age 34, LeBron is about to prove to the world he is still the King with this Game of Thrones. The Lakers are coming.

Washington Wizards

Things haven’t exactly gone the way the Washington Wizards wanted them to go. Some of it is because of the health of the players. Dwight Howard is a bit older now. He suffered from an injury we all believed was a back injury. Then it became a glut injury. When I asked him about his injury, he wasn’t exactly the most approachable man in the world. (Me: Dwight, how’s your back feeling?) (Dwight Howard: My back was never the issue, you got to pay attention). Otto Porter missed a ton of time too before he got traded to Chicago. But the player who missed the most time out of them all is the player many people consider the most significant player of this team, John Wall. Wall is clearly the face of the franchise. His face is all over the city, and his name is in everyone’s mouth. While talented, the combination of John Wall and Bradley Beal hasn’t exactly worked out. Many GM’s in the league are already coveting Bradley Beal as they have hopes of trading for him. After firing Team President and GM Ernie Grunfeld, the belief around the league is that the Washington Wizards are about to tear this thing down.

The Wizards can get a lot of good players, picks, and future assets by trading John Wall and Bradley Beal. With the vacancy at the GM position, a trade may not happen soon. They have their eyes set of Raptors gm Masi Ujiri. He would be the perfect man for the job. Whoever gets the job will have a good job and a lot to play with.

DOWN

Boston Celtics

Life sure can change for you in the blink of an eye. Just a year ago, the Celtics were just a single game away from not only taking down the King and the Cavaliers, but from going to the NBA Finals too. That was done without their 2 best players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. As they recovered from their injuries, they got healthy and made their way back to the lineup this season. Kyrie still looked like the Kyrie of old, but we will have to exercise a bit of patience on Gordon Hayward. In and out of the starting lineup, Gordon sometimes found himself coming off the bench as he was still trying to get his legs back under him. Chemistry was an issue this year because the combination of a star Jayson Tatum, a young guard Terry Rozier, and a talented swingman Jaylen Brown is what started off the promising success in 2017. In fact, Terry Rozier has been in his feelings this year and he has every right so. He was a key piece to their success just a year ago as he was starting at PG while Kyrie was down. Really, it’s just hard to even get into a rhythm when you’re starting and having success then being forced to come off the bench. The question that has been raised is “Can a problem exist by having too much talent?” The Celtics were DEEP! Roles were changed just a year after being so close to being in the NBA Finals. And now, business decisions have happened for the players. Kyrie Irving is as good as gone, as he has gave us nearly every indication that he will be signing with the Brooklyn Nets. Al Horford has been a key piece for the Celtics over the years. He has now opted out of his contract and will sign elsewhere this summer.

The Celtics dropped the ball on Anthony Davis and Boston doesn’t even seem like a free agency destination that players will want to venture off to now anymore. The pressure is definitely beginning to hit not only Head Coach Brad Stevens, but GM Danny Ainge too. If the Celtics find themselves out of the playoffs next season, changes may be made in Boston.

Charlotte Hornets

With Kemba Walker testing the market, this Charlotte Hornets team may be a team looking for relocation soon. Kemba Walker may be the most unappreciated player in the league. With twenty one 30+ point games, six 40+ point games, and even one 60 point game, Kemba averaged a career high 25.6 PPG last season. Despite this being a “1 Man Band”, the Hornets barely missed the playoffs. Kemba Walker has said he is open to taking less money to bring in more help but who could the Hornets get to pair with Walker in Charlotte? The buzz around the league is that MANY expect Kemba Walker to leave in free agency. This doesn’t help the case for the Hornets at all. Because they barely missed the playoffs, they have a late lottery pick in a draft that isn’t really considered deep or talented. Look for the Hornets to lose Walker.

The Hornets will probably be in a race with the New York Knicks for that #1 overall pick next season and for years to come. Charlotte will aggressively look to move Nicolas Batum and his outrageous $25M contract. Malik Monk will have the ball mostly. But look for the Hornets to aggressively try to add another draft pick on draft night.