NBA Notebook: Celtics exposed Nets and put their future in question

When the Celtics saw their last era end in 2019, they had blown through the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs and won Game 1 against the Bucks. They maintained hope talent would carry them, until a rising power in Milwaukee turned up its No. 1 offense and poured over 110 points on the Celtics each night through the Bucks' back door sweep. Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward left Boston in short order and sent the Celtics into multiple seasons of soul-searching that concluded with Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge moving on from their roles coaching and general manager roles.

They reversed the curse this week by sweeping Irving's Brooklyn Nets, a team leaning on top-end talent now similarly engulfed in turmoil and facing difficult decisions this offseason. The early rhetoric in Brooklyn rang of self-preservation, head coach Steve Nash and Kevin Durant emphasizing the difficulties they faced, whether injuries, absences or the mid-season James Harden trade. Their passive voices accepted little responsibility for developments years in the making, the Celtics proving adept at accentuating the Nets' demise by exposing their flaws. 

"Offensively, we can put a lot of guys in actions," Ime Udoka told Boston Sports Journal after Boston's Game 4 win over Brooklyn. "They've got some high-level defenders, and they've got some guys that they try to hide at times. Our thing was making Irving and Durant work at both ends. Obviously, we knew what we were trying to do offensively to make it tough on them, but defensively going at them as well, putting them in actions and not letting them have nights off. Feel we did that, a lot of guys stepped up and have been playing at a high level in this series. Jayson kind of going at guys, putting different guys in actions, I think has been beneficial for us to kind of wear Irving and Durant down." 

The miscues that led Brooklyn from a potential Warriors-level inevitability in the east to this aging, flailing group that barely made the playoffs stems back to the Deandre Jordan signing. Durant and Irving's arrival came under the condition that their declining friend join them for $40-million. Soon, Jarrett Allen's prominence over Jordan as a rising talent seemed to cost head coach Kenny Atkinson his job. Interim head coach Jacque Vaughn led Caris LeVert, Joe Harris and Allen through a strong finish into the Bubble, while Irving, Durant and Jordan sat out.

Vaughn would move back to the bench, with Mike D'Antoni, Ime Udoka and others arrived to support Hall-of-Fame guard Steve Nash as a first-time coach. Irving immediately put his foot in his mouth, calling the team's relationship with its new coach collaborative, since they don't necessarily need a coach. Allen, Caris LeVert and a boatload of future first-round picks shipped out that year to acquire Harden, who himself lasted little more than one season in Brooklyn. Irving took a mid-season hiatus, before he and Harden fell injured in the second round against the Bucks, losing in a Game 7 where, yes, Durant's foot on the line on a less-second shot could've decided won the game in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn only scored two points in overtime. The Nets had fully become Durant and Irving's organization, money and mistakes no option. 

The Nets struggled immensely on defense along the way, lacking discipline as Jordan became a DNP-CD. Veteran pickup Blake Griffin filled the team's center role guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. LaMarcus Aldridge, in one of many strokes of bad luck, retired shortly after signing as a free agent due to blood flow issues before returning this year. Brooklyn, reasonably, ran it back, but Irving didn't show up. Harden did, out of shape and hardly resembling his past self, setting up a crossroads moment between the franchise's three stars.

"We’re all just trying to gel,” Irving said after Game 3. “Usually, you’re gelling around the right time. That team in the other locker room is gelling at the right time. They’ve been gelling since Christmas. So, for us, we’re just in a new experience as a group ... I don’t have a lot of answers for how you make up time from October until now when usually teams would be gelling, and things would be feeling good.”

Irving's commitment to the troll last week would be almost commendable if that's all his post-Game 3 comments about lack of continuity and gelling aimed to achieve. He averaged 34.3 games per season through his first three years with the Nets, injured in the first, leaving the team in the second, before choosing not to make himself eligible through the first 35 games of 2021-22 in defiance of New York's vaccine mandate. The Nets, until they faced desperation during the omicron surge and allowed him back for road games only, declared Irving would be full-time or no-time. Their first attempt at regaining autonomy. They face a similar decision this offseason: reestablish their franchise hierarchy, or hand the keys to Kyrie?

The 29-year-old owns a $36.5-million player option, which he can opt out of to command a five-year, $248-million deal. There's a chance the Nets comply and tap further into owner Joe Tsai's seemingly unlimited financial resources, but with such a deal prompting hundreds of millions of dollars more in luxury tax payments, there may be greater scrutiny involved. The Nets could aim for a short-term deal or introduce a rare games-played incentive that could challenge the team's relationship with the guard (and preview CBA negotiations over pay-for-play). Irving had reportedly threatened retirement if the team tried to trade him early in the season. Would he walk away now over hardball tactics? 

The mandate that held Irving out this season may be gone. The questions regarding Irving's reliability aren't. He shot 37.2% against Boston following a 39-point outburst that included a bizarre string of middle fingers and profanity directed at Celtics fans. Nash had said just prior to Game 1 he wasn't concerned about Irving's relationship with the Boston crowd. It became the story of the Nets' epic three-point collapse in the final 45 seconds of the game. After, Irving swayed between disengaged and unable to utilize the pressure Durant faced to capitalize and beat the Celtics' defense that sold out on his teammate. Irving only scored 13 points through three quarters in Game 4 before a seven-point burst in the fourth as part of a comeback attempt that fell short. 

"I wouldn't say we were trying to make them tired," Horford told BSJ. "We just wanted to make everything difficult, everything hard, and we were going to play our way. For us, it was being very purposeful, executing on offense. Getting the shots that we wanted. Defensively being very solid, making sure that they're incredible talents, so understanding that whoever is guarding them, it's not only on them. The rest of us are engaged and we're there to support. Maybe as the series wore on, they saw how consistent we were. Everyone understood what their job was and what we needed to do every time. It wasn't like oh, this time you're going to be by yourself against Kyrie Irving. No, everybody, every time was engaged in the positions they needed to be, in the spots they needed to be. When it's like that, it's really hard on the opponent. It speaks to the focus level of our group, the commitment of all our guys. That started with Jayson Tatum for us. The way that he rose up in this series and took on the challenge, and he's, this year, defensively he's taken a huge leap and we've all seen it. It was just special to see, because he was the one that set the tone for us." 

Nash oversaw an aging bench where former star names in Griffin, Aldridge, Patty Mills and late-season acquisition Goran Dragic could hardly help. The team's promising young cast, including Cam Thomas, Kessler Edwards and Day'Ron Sharpe didn't factor into the series at all, never getting integrated even when the Nets lost 17-of-20 with Durant injured, Irving absent and Harden waiting out his final days in Brooklyn in February.

Nash had to play PR director then, telling the media Harden wouldn't be dealt, before reassuming that role following Ben Simmons' arrival, trying to forecast when the star would return right up until his targeted Game 4 came and went without a game played for the Nets this season. Nash's strength needed to be mending whatever rift formed between Harden and the two other stars at mid-season, but after a 2-for-11 disastrous finale against Sacramento, Harden took a seat with a sore hamstring. The Celtics grabbed a 28-2 lead as Harden watched from the sideline in mid-February, one day before getting traded to Philadelphia in maybe the most shocking deadline deal in NBA history. There's a chance talent alone could've carried Brooklyn's big three close to the NBA Finals, even through turmoil. It wouldn't be possible after Harden left.

It's a wonder Nash didn't step down following the team's loss last week, none of this is his fault, but ill-equipped to help on or off the floor, especially after D'Antoni and Udoka departed. Udoka, on the opposite sideline, boasted throughout the series how he knew the Nets' intricacies.

"I think there's a huge benefit being around those guys," Udoka said. "I know their mentality and how they approach the game, so there's some benefits as far as me being with them and seeing how they tick and how they've been guarded in the past. As far as Steve and what they're going to do ... we're anticipating a few things." 

The series played out that way, Durant overthinking, bothered and bumped in the lane by Boston's bigs like a pinball. Durant and Irving looked disconnected, turning the ball over routinely and struggling to involve teammates like Seth Curry. Badly in need of an interior presence, Andre Drummond faded from relevancy in the series, Nic Claxton showed spurts before shooting 4-for-22 at the free-throw line, including 1-for-11 in the decisive Game 4 loss, a 116-112 final. The Wilt Chamberlain-like showing at the charity stripe the most fitting end to one of the most dysfunctional seasons a star-studded team has had, closely rivaling the Lakers that Brooklyn projected to possibly meet in the NBA Finals when the preseason began. 

Now, the question has to be asked whether this Nets run is over before it began. Durant, Harden and Irving played 16 games together. Jordan? After all the discussion of his role in 2020, the Nets dumped him to Detroit to begin this season. Joe Harris returns from ankle injuries next year, the team received two 76ers first-round picks they can utilize to improve the team. Nobody knows what's next for Simmons. 

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics are only one of a number of young, athletic and growing teams in the NBA surpassing Brooklyn. Udoka aimed to make the Nets guard in the series, tiring out their stars and positioning his own against mismatches. Durant's missed free throw down by two points in the final minute of Game 4 might've been a culmination of all the defensive possessions where Tatum and the Celtics challenged him.

Smaller guards like Irving, Dragic, Curry and Mills stood no chance of staying in front of Boston's larger wings, while Durant came away from the series calling on the Nets to get bigger on the perimeter and more defensive, astounding given the choices they made personnel-wise along the way. Irving left Game 4 previewing a collaborative approach between himself, Durant and the front office. Durant balked at a question regarding the team's personnel moves. This never, at least in public, sounded like a connected organization, the lesson perhaps that Sean Marks and Brooklyn's front office reestablish control after a disastrous few seasons of enabling the stars under Nash. It's unclear if that's even possible without sacrificing talent. 

Nash appears here to stay. Durant signed an extension last offseason. Keeping Irving and hoping Simmons returns in time for next season feels like the safest bet over transformative change. The Nets can chalk 2022 up to odd circumstances with plenty of evidence they could've advanced further if some things broke their way. This also marks two straight seasons of that excuse, and at some point coming up short and then going in the wrong direction after may prove more emblematic of the team's leadership structure than the bad fortune struck upon them.

The playoff's remaining teams feature home-grown cores, strong coaching and plenty of defense. This Brooklyn era began in defiance of all three. 

"The timing is right, their window is now for these young guys that are on this team that have matured," Irving said describing Boston's ascent. "They've been through series together, they've been through seasons together, they've been through battles together. I got a chance to experience some of that, and now being on the opposite end and going against a healthy Celtics team ... you're just seeing there's a difference in ... the way they approach the game. They also have a set offense and defense they rely upon, Ime's been a huge part of that." 

Here's what else happened in the NBA this week... 

Atlanta (lost 1-4 vs. Miami): Trae Young finished a struggled-filled series 2-for-12 from the field and 0-for-5 from three, not touching the ball once on the Hawks' two final plays down by three points with chances to tie the game. Young shot 31.9% from the field and 18.4% from deep in five games, proving easy for the Heat to key in on due to his ball dominance. Atlanta's puzzling reliance on Danilo Gallinari and Delon Wright showed with both on the floor in crunch time. Clint Capela scored four points in two games back from injury, while John Collins and Kevin Huerter both averaged 9. On a team that struggled to defend all year, going cold offensively sealed their fate. Big changes are coming.

Boston (won 4-0 vs. Brooklyn): Swept the Nets thanks to a resilient crunch time performance from Jaylen Brown, who averaged 22.5 PPG on 49.3% shooting playing off the pressure Jayson Tatum received. Brown enters Game 1 on Sunday against the Bucks dealing with hamstring tightness, a troubling development given his past ailments with that muscle as recently as this season. Tatum, who averaged 7.3 APG in round one, will continue to need Brown as an outlet against the pressure he receives. 

Robert Williams III returned from meniscus surgery and helped energize the Celtics to a Game 3 win with an alley-oop slam and block, but he averaged only 15 MPG coming off the bench. He'll need to work into shape against Milwaukee defending the rim against Giannis Antetokounmpo. If Williams III looks like himself, the Celtics are back in the driver's seat as eastern conference favorites. 

Brooklyn (lost 0-4 vs. Boston): Unthinkably the only team that got swept in the first round, with Kevin Durant shooting 38.6% and Kyrie Irving 44.4% in the four losses. They struggled to consistently to involve Bruce Brown and Seth Curry, while Nic Claxton matched playoff history shooting 1-for-11 at the free-throw line in a four-point Game 4 loss. Brooklyn allowed 119.2 points per 100 possessions, unable to string any amount of stops together. Ben Simmons planned to play in Game 4, but backed out due to persisting back soreness and mental hurdles, leading the Nets and his camp to meet after the shock of the reversal to begin planning his future. He played 0 games in 2022.

Charlotte: Isaiah Thomas rejuvenated his NBA career as a spot contributor and locker room leader, earning a rest-of-season contract with the Hornets after multiple 10-day deals. He averaged 8.3 PPG on 43.3% shooting, burying 39.7% of his threes and flashing his renewed ability to drive downhill. Entering his 33-year-old season, his 11th in the league, stability is likely a priority, and he sounded like someone invested in the Hornets' growth in his exit interview.

"The sky is the limit," he said. "I'm not just saying that because I'm part of it right now. I was on the couch a few months ago -- the Hornets were one of my favorite teams to watch. That wasn't just for me, for the world." 

Elsewhere, the Charlotte Observer came down hard on Michael Jordan for firing James Borrego.

Chicago (lost 1-4 vs. Milwaukee): Ended a snake-bitten season without Zach LaVine (COVID) and Alex Caruso (concussion) in a blowout loss to the Bucks. The Bulls hardly competed in the first round, ravaged by injuries yet looking in a tier below their Lake Michigan rivals to the north. LaVine enters free agency, reportedly needing left knee surgery to address lingering late-season pain. He's due a five-year, $212-million max contract. Lonzo Ball's meniscus recovery hasn't progressed now almost four months past his surgery, putting the Bulls in a precarious position of tying their future to two injury-prone guards. 

LaVine sounded ready to test free agency after averaging 24.4 PPG on 47.6% shooting in 67 games this year. His $42.4-million would make Chicago a taxpaying team. Derrick Jones Jr. also enters free agency, with Coby White beginning the final season of his rookie deal in 2022-23. 

Cleveland: Injured guard Collin Sexton and the Cavaliers reportedly have mutual interest on reuniting this offseason, with Sexton set to enter restricted free agency. The team may face a choice between Sexton and Caris LeVert, who's due a new contract next offseason as Cleveland's cap sheet grows more crowded. Ricky Rubio, who will continue his ACL recovery into next season, is eligible and reportedly interested in returning to the Cavaliers after the team sent his expiring contract to Indiana in a LeVert trade. 

Dallas (won 4-2 vs. Utah): Escaped their first-round series despite Luka Doncic missing the first three games thanks to spectacular Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson performances, while Reggie Bullock and Maxi Kleber caught fire from three. The Mavericks could space the floor and challenge Rudy Gobert and the Jazz' rotations, but in reality it felt like Dallas simply needed to expand the hole in the sinking Utah ship to get by. Doncic averaged 29 PPG, 10.7 RPG and 5.7 APG, advancing to face the league's top-seeded Suns in round two -- Doncic's first semifinal appearance. 

Denver (lost 1-4 vs. Golden State): Nikola Jokic went out swinging with 30 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists on 12-for-18 shooting, keeping the Nuggets within two possessions until the final buzzer of round two. He averaged 31.0 PPG, 13.2 RPG and 5.8 APG, fighting through hamstring soreness in Game 5 and challenging offensive series for Will Barton, Bones Hyland and Aaron Gordon. 

The Nuggets will hope to reunite Jokic with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. next season and rise back among Golden State, Phoenix and the west contenders. For his MVP efforts, Jokic can sign a five-year, $254-million contract in free agency with Denver this offseason. 

Detroit: The Pistons reportedly hope to retain free agent Marvin Bagley III in the three-year, $21-24-million range as James Edwards III assessed the likelihood that Detroit's free agents, including former Celtics guard Carsen Edwards, stick around.

Golden State (won 4-1 vs. Denver): Steph Curry returned to the starting lineup in Game 5 after coming off the bench in his first four appearances back from his foot injury. He scored 30 points with five rebounds and five assists on 10-for-22 shooting in the series clincher, averaging 28.0 PPG in the first round while converting 40.4% of his threes. 

The Warriors assumed west favorite status with the rise of a new-age death lineup featuring Curry, Jordan Poole (21.0 PPG round one), Klay Thompson (22.6 PPG), Andrew Wiggins (14.0 PPG) and Draymond Green, who held Jokic to 29-for-57 shooting and forced 10 turnovers in their 142-possession death match. They will, however, travel to Memphis without home court advantage in the second round against the league's best offensive rebounding team in the Grizzlies. 

Houston: Gilbert Arenas, Ryan Hollins and Draymond Green all jumped to Jalen Green's defense after Bill Simmons' "f*** Jalen Green" quip while snubbing his from All-Rookie First Team. While this writer had him All-Rookie Second Team, Green getting off to a dreadful start to this year, it's hard to knock a top prospect improving his efficiency, defense and acclimating to a new off ball role in the NBA on a team hardly trying to win. Those circumstances did inevitably inflate his numbers, but playing and growing are two things you want to see a top prospect do. He only turns 21-years-old next season. 

Indiana: So many players received opportunities to play on this roster, like rookies Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson, ascendent G-League talents like Oshae Brisset and Duane Washington Jr., along with a veteran presence from franchise icon Lance Stephenson. It'll be intriguing to see who remains as a flood of previously injured veteran talents like Myles Turner, T.J. Warren and T.J. McConnell potentially return to the roster. Tyrese Haliburton is now clearly the cornerstone. 

Clippers: This team's intriguing question will be whether they can carry all their depth into the season. Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac are safe to assume as starters. After them, Marcus Morris, Luke Kennard, Terrance Mann and many others are in line for roles. Do they pull a 2019 Celtics and retain their loaded roster while integrating returning veterans, or do they try some consolidation? Kyrie Irving appeared as an idea, but free agents are an unlikely option for this team due to their exorbitant salary. It's doubtful they could get below a hard cap.

Lakers: Reportedly seeking Bucks assistant Darvin Ham for their head coach opening as one of their first official targets. It wouldn't be surprising to hear Jazz head coach Quin Snyder become available too, while Doc Rivers' escape from the first round with Philadelphia probably crosses him off the Lakers' wish list for now. The team, plagued by injuries in 2022, began the offseason with more changes to its performance staff.

Memphis (won 4-2 vs. Minnesota): Ja Morant's highlight slam and last-second cut to the basket secured Game 5 for the Grizzlies, before overcoming a third double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter in this series to clinch a win in Game 6 in Minnesota. Dillon Brooks separated Memphis late and hit 5-of-6 from three, while Desmond Bane added 23 points of his own as the steadiest hand in the entire erratic series. 

The Grizzlies were fortunate to escape after routinely starting behind, including losing Game 1 of the series, but Morant dished 10.5 APG to overcome his shooting woes and performances like Brandon Clarke's six offensive rebounds in crunch time of Game 5 gave Memphis the edge. They'll host the Warriors in Game 1 on Sunday at 3:30 EST. 

Miami (won 4-1 vs. Atlanta): They're something else with the rest, Jimmy Butler (knee) and Kyle Lowry (hamstring) sitting in street clothes for Game 5 as the Heat still managed to close the series without them. Victor Oladipo led Miami's offensive effort with 23 points on 8-for-16 shooting as the Heat finally integrated him for his best game since March of last year with the Rockets and his first postseason action since 2020. Butler, Lowry, P.J. Tucker (calf) and Tyler Herro (illness) all missed the team's first practice ahead of a second-round meeting with the 76ers, but it continues to feel like the Heat can reach the east finals with any level of their depth given Joel Embiid's healths status. 

Milwaukee (won 4-1 vs. Chicago): Breezed through the first round over the Bulls and found their stride defensively. They'll face far more resistance against the Celtics' defense in round two, relinquishing home court due to tanking the final game of the season and reportedly missing Khris Middleton (MCL sprain) for the entirety of the series. 

Grayson Allen, Wes Matthews, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton easily account for the shooting they'll miss in Middleton, but the star's absence spreads Jrue Holiday thin on the perimeter against Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Giannis Antetokounmpo may need to leave his off-ball defensive role to guard Tatum. Will Mike Budenholzer adjust in time? This could be an all-time series of offensive might against a historic defense.

Minnesota (lost 2-4 vs. Memphis): Karl-Anthony Towns fouled at least four times in four of the Timberwolves' six games in the second round against the Grizzlies, Minnesota losing all four and three of them through double-digit collapses in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves won Game 1 and received some of the most erratic play ever from a star in the postseason after. Towns barreled opponents, struggled defensively and shot 6-for-19 in the decisive Game 6. 

At 27-years-old next season, the immensely talented star needs to take the leap Anthony Edwards and this group has waited for. This season was a start, with a disappointing finish. D'Angelo Russell spent crunch time on the bench to cap a series where he shot 33.3%, missing off the backboard late in Game 5, an ominous preview of his extension-eligible offseason. It'd be worth $164.3-million max.

New Orleans (lost 2-4 vs. Phoenix): Had a successful first season under Willie Green cut short by Devin Booker's return in Game 6. Herb Jones exploded as a defensive force as a rookie. Brandon Ingram thrived as a front man, averaging 27.0 PPG and 6.2 APG in the first round. Jose Alvarado gave the team an energy boost off the bench, forcing eight-second violations on the Suns. They're a fun group that could be solidified into serious contenders by Zion Williamson's return -- if he's right. 

Williamson committed to sign an extension in New Orleans after missing the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury, appearing overweight right up until the end of this series. He threw down electric dunks pregame throughout the series, but remained out. If the team wants out over health concerns for a massive return, building instead around Ingram and C.J. McCollum, it's now or never. Zion's deal could be worth five-years, $181-million. 

New York: Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard will be hot names for the everlastingly star-gazing Knicks fans. Free agent Jalen Brunson might be the smartest play. Once a possible bargain shot for rival teams at a star-in-the-making, he's already leading the Mavericks on many nights as a floor general and volume scorer. He'll inevitably command over the $20-million annually the Knicks could offer outright, and Dallas' unwillingness to help in sign-and-trades could send New York elsewhere to try to move Julius Randle, Kemba Walker or Evan Fournier contracts. Suitors could emerge in Utah and Portland, but the Thunder are probably past those salary dump days. The Knicks could get stuck.

Oklahoma City: Their strange cap sheet for 2022-23, going off that point in the Knicks section: Kemba Walker $27.4-million (dead money), Derrick Favors $10.2-million (player options), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander $29.8-million, top-four pick $6.4-9-million, Josh Giddey $6.3-million, Darius Bazley $4.3-million, Alexsej Pokusevski $3.3-million. This roster quietly snuck over $100-million in salary next season, so the era of cap dumps on the Thunder likely ended with Walker. 

Sorry Russell Westbrook, Lakers. 

Orlando: Excited to see Jonathan Isaac again for the first time in seemingly forever. He averaged 11.9 PPG on 47% shooting in 2019-20. In the meantime...

Philadelphia (won 4-2 vs. Toronto): Mashed the Raptors, 132-97, facing only the fourth Game 7 for a team that led 3-0 in a NBA series if they lost. Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points, James Harden dished 15 assists while Joel Embiid continued to fight through a tear in his right thumb to score 33 points. He broke his right orbital bone and suffered a concussion in a collision with Pascal Siakam, leaving him out indefinitely entering round two against Miami. Harden shot 40.5% in round one against Toronto, and this will become his show at least until Embiid can retake the floor in a mask. 

Phoenix (won 4-2 vs. New Orleans): Discarded the pesky Pelicans in Game 6 behind Devin Booker's 13 points on 5-for-12 shooting following a three-game absence with a hamstring injury. Chris Paul shot 14-for-14, setting an NBA playoff record, scoring 33 points with eight assists in the clincher to cap a series where he averaged 22.3 PPG and 11.3 APG on 56.7% shooting. We need to start talking about Paul the way we did LeBron James for his longevity at one point. The Suns also became west underdogs behind the Warriors, fair or not, Phoenix now preparing to take on Dallas in round two. They're tough to bet against healthy, a likable group that's more precise than any team.

Portland: Joe Cronin will likely remain Trail Blazers GM while a possible sale of the franchise over the next months could impact how the team handles Damian Lillard's future, needing a star to maximize value. The team is currently owned by the Paul G. Allen trust following Allen's death in 2018. The Blazers reportedly hoped Jerami Grant could entice Lillard this summer, but New Orleans' pick transitioning into a future Bucks first-rounder for Portland in the McCollum trade devastated the team's asset base for now. 

Sacramento: Warriors assistant Mike Brown stands out among a field of candidates including Celtics assistant Will Hardy that the Kings reportedly plan to target, all seven in the midst of postseason runs. Brown's defensive acumen would make sense for a team that's struggled to get any stops in recent years. De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis could make the job more appealing for candidates than it would usually be given the Kings' NBA record 16-year postseason drought.

San Antonio: They boast an incredibly cheap roster that won't stay that way for long. Dejounte Murray has the most expensive contract on the books next season for $16.6-million. Their contracts total $82.6-million before potentially re-signing Lonnie Walker IV in restricted free agency, which should still leave ample cap space. Romeo Langford and Keldon Johnson are extension-eligible entering the final years on their rookie deals, while four rookies could potentially enter the fold. 

Toronto (lost 2-4 vs. Philadelphia): Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes injuries didn't help, but the Raptors looked overmatched early and often against the 76ers through Games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia. That visual returned in Game 6, with Toronto's inability to put anyone in front of Joel Embiid ultimately the fatal flaw of the team. The Raptors had a great year playing a frenetic defensive system while scrapping together whatever points they could get on the other end, but the league's growing again and giant stars dominate the east. Toronto has to be in the market for an impact center whether Nick Nurse wants one or not. Thad Young and Chris Boucher enter free agency with Toronto right up against the salary cap. They'll need to improve via trade. Rudy Gobert?

Utah (lost 2-4 vs. Dallas): Speaking of Rudy Gobert, it's hard to imagine the $38.2-million big man on the Jazz next season after another postseason collapse due, in part, to the team playing one way around his drop defense at the rim. Gobert helped the Jazz become a top-10 defense in spite of horrendous defensive play from Donovan Mitchell and others on the perimeter at certain points. Getting rid of Gobert alone won't solve their issues, it might make them worse right away, but it could set the team on the path to a reset. One they badly need with this seeming group in turmoil all year. Mitchell, however frustrated, is signed through 2025. Danny Ainge could be leading the league's most intriguing offseason in his first summer with the team. 

Washington: Good point from Chase Hughes. If the Jazz rebuild, other teams could benefit from acquiring their ancillary contributors like Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O'Neale, including the Wizards. The thought crossed my mind whether Russell Westbrook could make sense here. The Lakers would have to take on Kristaps Porzingis though, and that's hard to imagine given his two years remaining to Westbrook's one, along with continuous injury concerns.