With the NBA trade deadline in the rear view mirror and a number of teams already eliminated from playoff contention, there is a large contingent of fans already looking ahead to the offseason. Those teams that are in rebuilding mode will be looking forward to the NBA Draft and hope that they can also add some impact players through free agency this summer. Here is a look ahead to the biggest need for the four NBA teams most in rebuilding mode.
Los Angeles Lakers
Biggest Need: A Franchise Big Man
The Lakers added Roy Hibbert in the summer as a big man that they hoped would provide a short term solution to their problems at the center position, but at some point, they will need to address their need for a franchise-caliber big man. Rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell has shown progress while Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and even Lou Williams have been decent pieces, but Los Angeles needs to find a center that can protect the rim and utilize the pick-and-roll. The Lakers’ defense has been an absolute disaster this season, including in the paint where they have been particularly vulnerable. Los Angeles can address some of those issues with the addition of a star big man. Right now, that is clearly the team’s biggest need.
Philadelphia 76ers
Biggest Need: Guard Help
Philadelphia is in exactly the opposite situation compared to the Lakers as they have plenty of talented young big men and very little in terms of talent at the guard and wing positions. The 76ers will have a chance to hit a home run this summer with a couple of first-round picks in the NBA Draft, but they could opt to make a couple of moves in free agency as well. With Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, there is a good chance Philadelphia would entertain moving one of their talented young big men for help at another position as well. The addition of former lottery pick Nik Stauskas hasn’t helped as expected, so look for the 76ers to enter the offseason with a focus on adding some quality young talent at the guard positions. They need help everywhere else other than the center position.
Brooklyn Nets
Biggest Need: A Perimeter Scorer
Brooklyn is in a bad place right now without a true franchise player to build around as well as a severe lack of young players and draft picks. Brook Lopez can hold it down at the center position and Thaddeus Young is still a serviceable asset, but the team’s biggest problem is its lack of perimeter scoring. The Nets are 26th in the NBA at the point guard and small forward spots as well as 24th at the shooting guard spot in perimeter ranks. Their best perimeter players are defense-only wing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and reserve Shane Larkin. Brooklyn will be in tough to find strong young talent after trading away so many draft picks, so things could get a lot worse before they get better moving forward. They went for it all a few years ago and it hasn’t paid off. Now they’re paying the price.
Phoenix Suns
Biggest Need: A Star Center
The Suns finally moved Markieff Morris ahead of this year’s trade deadline, but their desire to force the issue in an effort to make the playoffs really hurt their overall outlook and now they are stuck in rebuild mode whether they like it or not. Phoenix has plenty of talented guards including Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Archie Goodwin and rookie Devin Booker and they have to be pleased with the play of Mirza Teletovic since Morris was moved. However, Tyson Chandler clearly looks overpaid at the center spot and Alex Len likely isn’t the best option as the Suns’ starting center moving forward. Phoenix will have the draft and free agency to address the position, but they could also consider trading a guard and other assets in order to secure a star center that can really help them moving forward during their rebuilding mode.
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