Will be interesting to see how these trades affect the Jazz' pick.
Jazz are worse short-term. Kanter HAD to be dealt, but there's no discounting the fact that the starters will struggle to score. They did when Gobert replaced Kanter to start the 2nd half in Portland. Simply can't have three non-shooters on the floor at the same time (Exum, Gobert and Millsap). Hayward is going to be asked to score 30/per.
The "tank"
1-4: New York, Philly, Lakers, Minnesota: no chance at any of these teams catching up. The first four spots are locked up and I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the order I have listed.
5: Orlandio. Did nothing at the deadline. Obviously looking towards the return of Gordon next season and adding a pick. I think they end up here.
6-12: Utah, Sacramento, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Boston, Brooklyn. This is a tightly packed group right now.
6. Denver didn't have a complete fire sale, but they did lose Afflalo. I'm going to pick them to drop to #6.
7. Utah gets worse by losing Kanter and getting Jerrett. I know Gobert picks up additional minutes. So does Booker. But the loss of Kanter's offense will hurt.
8. Indiana. Did nothing. Hope they can stay ahead of Utah.
9. Brooklyn. Got Thaddeus Young. Shipped out Garnett. Ho hum. Just playing out the year.
10. Detroit. Added Reggie Jackson and Tayshaun Prince, lost Augustin, Singler and Jerebko. Reggie obviously the key here. He makes the team better.
11. Sacramento. Andre Miller is not the reason I have them #11. They were playing well under Malone to start the season until Cousins went down. Karl will lead them to a strong finish.
12. Boston. Added Isaiah Thomas, Jerebko and Datome and shipped out Thornton and Prince. Now they have a PG who can score but not defend and one who can defend but not shoot. Perfect! Thomas is a short-term upgrade over Smart. They'll pick up some wins in the EC.
13. Phoenix. Completely screwed up what was once a promising team. I can't even keep up with their transactions. I know they got Knight and a bunch of picks, but shipped out Goran AND Zoran Dragic, Plumlee and Ennis. Some of the other players they acquired will be waived. Bledsoe is now their marquee player, surrounded by Knight, the Morris' and the hope of drafting future decent players.
14. New Orleans. Not going to finish ahead of OKC for that last playoff spot. Did some cost savings maneuvers, including dumping Salmons. Picked up Norris Cole. Decent job.