Division Preview � Pacific

Last years results were mixed, to say the least for this division, because the have some talent, although not very top heavy, but perhaps the biggest star in the game right now in Giannis, who plays for LAC and, rightfully, they were competitive. However last season was marked by teams that didn�t really have a clear direction based on their pieces or underperformance on the court. This is probably the division that likes to trade the most, on volume, given that GMs Laddas and Klemm reside here, so it�s always something going on.

Last season�s standings:

LA Clippers - 53-29

GS Warriors - 49-33

Sacramento Kings � 38-44

Phoenix Suns - 36-46

LA Lakers � 12-70 

Let�s now look ahead to what next season awaits, in the order they finished last season:

TEAM-BY-TEAM

Los Angeles Clippers

The big boys in LA, at least in this universe, and they house some serious talent, such as the aforementioned Antetokoumpo, but also Domantas Sabonis, my boy Colin Sexton, and RJ Barrett so they have a great young core capable of doing great things.
Despite being a great team, they also had a big presence in the draft, in clear Andrew-style, and came away from it with main newcomers defensive stud Usman Garuba, sharpshooting big Trey Murphy and sharpshooting wing Corey Kispert, so they made some noise to round out the roster.

Projected starting 5

PG � Colin Sexton

SG � RJ Barrett

SF � Corey Kispert

PF � Giannis Antetokoumpo

C � Domantas Sabonis

6^th man -  Ricky Rubio

Golden State Warriors

The Dubs had a truly up and down season on the back of their star player and constantly put in trade rumors, Zach Lavine. They also have playoff standout and man without an extension DeAndre Ayton as their young core franchise player. As far as off-season went, they shaked and baked, bringing in Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie and Timothy Hardaway via trade alongside Josh Jackson and Paul Milsapp with FA included. They added Ziaire Williams via the draft which is a wait and see, boom or bust project/prospect. They look much improved as far as ceiling goes, but still look to me like a middle of the standings type team due to the fact that their pieces aren�t really peaking in 2k at the same time window, so we�ll have to wait and see how the engine responds.

Projected starting 5

PG � Kyle Lowry

SG � Zach Lavine

SF � Timothy Hardaway

PF � Paul Milsapp

C � DeAndre Ayton

6^th man � Spencer Dinwiddie

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have a peculiar season, as always, due to the relentless will to win of GM Klemmelo, so they had new faces during the season but also a TON of new faces in the off-season to rebuild the team and face the future. Mainly Goran Dragic and Marcus Morris was brought in for veteran presence via trade and some pieces like Will Barton and TJ McConnel were brought back as part of last year�s core. They aren�t a fan of the draft but they of the free agency period, with some of the big winners of the night and re-tooled most of the depth of the team with names like Cody Zeller, Jabari Parker, Austin Reaves and Kent Bazemore, so veteran leadership won�t be lacking here. Nikola Vucevic is, of course this team�s biggest name and star. The whole offense will run through him and perhaps some outlier nights from Buddy Hield.

Projected starting 5

PG � TJ McConnel
SG � Buddy Hield
SF � Will Barton
PF � Nikola Vucevic
C � Cody Zeller
6^th man � Goran Dragic

 

 

Phoenix Suns

The Suns is a franchise that is also constantly on the move, but the direction the do so is sometimes not easy to understand or counter-intuitive, so for now, it looks like a fool rebuild, despite their record last year not indicating as such (mainly cause of DDR alone). However they have a bunch of new names, as expected via trade and the draft. Main newcomers include Saddiq Bey, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr., Danilo Galinari, Luke Kennard, Josh Christopher and Thomas Bryant, so essentially a whole new squad. Their main player is not clear at this point, to be honest, but in my opinion their best bet of a player having some top talent rests on the long and thin big 7�2 Bol Bol, but it seems NBA Denver isn�t ready to unleash him yet. It will be an unusual season for the Suns, seeing as they don�t, presently, own developed 2k talent, so I expect a regression in the loss column. Luckily they got their 22 1^st rounder back, so they look like preparing for a tankfest.

Projected starting 5

PG � Cole Anthony
SG � Luke Kennard
SF � Saddiq Bey
PF � Danilo Galinari
C � Wendell Carter Jr.
6^th man � Joe Harris

 

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers were decided that were on a rebuild last season due to poor past management teams and they will continue on that effort this season most likely.

Main newcomers include Andrew Wiggins, Gary Harris via trade and, of course, the #1 overall pick in the draft, the swiss-army knife Cade Cunningham. Laker Nation finally has something to look forward and root for, this is that guy. There are other young pieces on the roster such as #10 pick in last years draft, Jalen Smith, Kira Lewis, PJ Washington, Josh Green and Nickeil-Alexander Walker but don�t get me wrong, none of these players have the type of franchise-changing talent that Cade possesses so this is a big season for developing him, for this will always be known as the season that Cade arrived in LA.

Projected starting 5

PG � Kira Lewis Jr.
SG � Gary Harris
SF � Andrew Wiggins
PF � PJ Washington
C � Jalen Smith

6^th man � Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Well, on my way out, I�ll leave you here with my predictions for end-of-the season records just for a lark:

LA Clippers - 56-26

GS Warriors - 52-30

Sacramento Kings � 35-48

Phoenix Suns � 12-70

LA Lakers � 10-72 

Hope you enjoyed the read.
�Till next time,
GM Merencio