The New NBA | What If Edition

[nuka]

ALL STAR DRAFT

Team Harden:
James Harden, HOU
LeBron James, LAL
Russell Westbrook, SA
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN
Kawhi Leonard, TOR


Stephen Curry, GS
kristaps Porzingis, DAL
Nikola Vucevic, ORL
Bradley Beal, WAS
Damian Lillard, POR
Kyrie Irving, LAC
Ja Morant, BOS



Team Giannis:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
Kevin Durant, ATL
Ben Simons, PHI
Nikola Jokic, DEN
John Wall, WAS


Paul George, OKC
Anthony Davis, NO
Luka Doncic, DAL
D'Angelo Russel, BRK
Blake Griffin, DET
Andre Drummond, DET
Zion Williamson, NYK

[nuka]

Awards:
MVP: James Harden, HOU
Rookie of the Year: Anthony Edwards, MIN
6th Man: Mike Conley, GS
Defensive Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
Most Improved: T.J Warren, PHX
Coach of the year: Kale Stuart, HOU


No Longer East/West, Seeded 1 to 16



1. HOU
16. MIL
Houston holds on to win 4-3

8. LAL
9. NY
Lakers win 4-0

5. PHI
12. ORL
76ers defeat Magic 4-1

4. TOR
13. BRK
Kahwai, Raptors win 4-2






2. UTA
15. WAS
Jazz blow past Wizards 4-0

7. MIN
10. SA
Westbrook gets eliminated, 4-3

6. MEM
11. PHX
Grizzlies win 4-1

3. BOS
14. POR
Boston wins 4-1











Round 2

1. HOU
8. LAL
LeBron upsets Rockets 4-2

4. TOR
5. PHI
Embiid helps 76ers past Raps 4-3





2. UTA
7. MIN
Jazz run past T-Wolves 4-2

3. BOS
6. MEM
Boston holds out for a 4-2 Win






Round 3

5. PHI
8. LAL
76ers cruise past Lakers 4-2


2. UTA
3. BOS
Boston beat Jazz 4-3




FINALS
BOS vs PHI
Game 1: Boston wins 107-91
Game 2: Philadelphia wins 129-114
Game 3: Philadelphia cruises past Boston 110-90 behind Lins 25 pints in 14 min
Game 4: Boston comes back to win 101-93
Game 5: Butlers 30 lifts Philadelphia 124-111
Game 6: Boston, Brown rise to beat Philadelphia 111-95
Game 7: Philadelphia slips by Boston 109-96

Finals MVP: Ben Simmons

[nuka]

Player Retirements
Tony Parker
Pau Gasol
Dwyane Wade
Carmelo Anthony

HOF Inductees
Dwyane Wade
Carmelo Anthony
Pau Gasol

Jersey Retirements
3 - Dwyane Wade - Heat
9 - Tony Parker - Spurs
15 - Carmelo Anthony - Nuggets

League Meetings
BREAKING
Players will now be able to join the NBA at 18 years old.
You are also allowed to trade 1st round picks in consecutive years.

[nuka]

Pre-Draft

1. Kings
2. Clippers (via MIA)
3. Pistons
4. Pelicans
5. Warriors
6. Pacers
7. Thunder
8. Hornets
9. Clippers
10. Cavaliers
11. Knicks (via DAL)
12. Bulls
13. Spurs (via ATL)
14. Nuggets

Post Lottery

Spoiler

14. Nuggets
13. Spurs
12.Bulls
11. Knicks (now own 11th and 21st)
10. Cavaliers
9. Clippers
8. Hornets (Selected Isaiah Stewart last year with the 4th pick
7. Thunder
6. Warriors (Pacers move to top 3)
5. Pelicans
4. Kings (Pistons get bumped to top 3)
3. Pacers
2. Pistons (Selected R.J Hampton with 3rd pick last year)
1. Clippers

Injury Concerns:
Balsa Koprivica (C) - Injured Back





NBA DRAFT
1. Clippers select: Jalen Green (SG)
2. Pistons select: Jalen Johnson (SF)
3. Pacers select: Makur Maker
4. Kings select: Cade Cunningham (PG)
5. Pelicans select: Greg Brown III
6. Warriors select: Evan Mobley (C)
- Mozgov just turned 35 and doesn't have much time left.
7. Thunder select: Isiah Todd (PF)
8. Hornets select: B.J. Boston (SG)
9. Clippers select: Bryan Antoine (SG)
10. Cavaliers select: Isaiah Jackson (PF)
11. Knicks select: Kai Jones (PF)
12. Bulls select: Scottie Barnes (SF)
13. Spurs select: Qumar Ballo (C)
14. Nugget select: Adam Miller (PG)
15. Cavaliers select: Oscshiebwe (C)
16. Wizards select: Josh Christopher (SG)
17. Trail Blazers select: Anton Watson (SF)
- Steal as he was projected top 10
18. Nets select: Johnny Juzang (SG)
19. Magic select: Aidan Igiehon (PF)
20. Suns select: Moses Moody (SG)
21. Knicks select: Alex Antetokounmpo (SG)
22. Spurs select: Marcus Bagley (C)
23. Lakers select: Khalifa Diop (C)
24. Grizzlies select: Jaden Springer (SG)
25. Timberwolves select:
WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE
The Minnesota Timberwolves trade: 2021 1st round pick (25) and 2022 2nd round pick
Golden State Warriors trade: Draymond Green
25. Warriors select: Alfonzo Gaffney (PF)
26. Raptors select: Jalen Suggs (PG)
27. Celtics select: Matthew Hurt (PF)
28. Jazz select: Kyree Walker (SG)
29. Rockets select: Tre Mann (PG)
30. 76ers select: N'Faly Dante (C)

[nuka]

Top Free Agents

Ben Simmons (RFA)
Jason Tatum (RFA)
Donovan Mitchell (RFA)
John Collins (RFA)
De'Aaron Fox (RFA)
Tobias Harris (UFA) -> UFA Still
Steven Adams (UFA) -> signed with Hornets
Lonzo Ball (RFA)
Mike Conley (UFA) -> UFA
Mark Gasol (UFA) -> Signed with Hawks
Domantas Sabonis (UFA) -> UFA
Dejounte Murray (UFA) -> UFA
Dario Saric (UFA) -> UFA
Alex Len (UFA) -> UFA

[nuka]

BREAKING NEWS

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a deal. They have agreed to send Center Anthony Davis, a 222 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected) and a 2025 2nd round pick to the Los Angeles Lakes for Jaxson Hayes (2nd pick in 2019) and LeBron James.

The Pelicans have gained an upgrade at SF and instantly made them a competitor with LeBron, and Hayes can fill the void which Davis leaves. They also ship out their Lottery Protected pick. They may make a move in the near future to get that starting center back.

The Lakers have gained an enormous center who instantly buffs up their D, and a 1st and 2nd round pick. With aging LeBron gone, Ingram can step into the spotlight and fill the SF role, while Thompson fills the SG role.

[nuka]

Davis shines in Debut
Anthony Davis fit right in with Lonzo Ball and Thompson. He scored 28 points, while posting 13 rebounds. He also made 2/6 3 pointers.

LeBrons First Game as a Pelican
LeBron started off his year with a new team. James will face new challenges alongside rookie Hayes. James scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds in a 110-91 blowout against the Grizzlies.


James vs Davis
The first game between the two in the blockbuster trade was toe and toe. The Lakers came out with the win barely 120-119. James had a decent game, scoring 18 points and 9 rebounds in 35 minutes. The Pelicans have also signed, as per requested by James, PG Mike Conley. Davis played 30 minutes but and secured himself a double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

[nuka]

Jan 1st Update

Trades
76ers Trade: Reggie Jackson, PG / 2023 2nd
Bulls trade: John Henson, C
The 76ers have gained depth at center while shipping off excess weight. Jackson voiced frusteration and told the Bulls he will be testing free agency after being told he will be third string behind Isaiah Taylor and Alex Caruso

Warriors trade: Jordan Nwora, SF / Fred VanVlede, PG
Nets trade: Taurean Prince, SF / Willy Hernangomez, C
The Warriors gain a talented 3 point shooter to fill the starting spot at SF, and a perfect addition for depth for their center. With Curry moving soon, many wonder if there is more work to be done.
The Nets have made an amazing addition. In his first game, he scored a season high of 33 points. Nwora was drafted round 2 pick 1 last year. Nwora has become the starting SF for Brooklyn. VanVleet was throw in to match salaries.

Thunder trade: DeMar DeRozan, SF
Mavericks trade: Enes Kanter, C / Darren Collison, PG
The Thunder have picked up a solid center with experience. Kanter is the perfect addition to the team who will guide young players. Collison will teach Theo Maledon how to improve his 3 point game, and guild the rookie this year. Look at them to add another cheaper SF. The Mavericks have improved their depth but also take on a brutal contract for the 32 year old DeRozan. He has 2 years left t $25M per year along with a player option. He will slate in behind Luke Doncic.

Raptors trade: Louis Williams, SG / 2025 2nd
Hawks trade: 2022 1st (Thunder)
The Raptors are in a full rebuild mode, going straight for the 1st from the Hawks. Many ask why the Hawks would do this trade as Louis Williams has officially told the teams that he will be retiring at the end of the season. Williams won't see any playing time this year behind Huerter, Antoine and Magee.

Jazz trade: Derrick Favors, PF / 2025 2nd
Spurs trade: Vince Hunter, PF
This trade was simply made due to the fact that Favors wasn't happy in Utah. The pick was just topping on the cake.

Nuggets trade: Adam Miller, PG / Paul Millsap, PF
Clippers trade: Landry Shamet, SG / Danilo Gallinari, PF
Aging Gallinari created great depth for the Nuggets. He is familiar with the team, as he spent 6 years here before going to the Clippers. With 3 years left, this vet will see some backup playing time. Shamet was drafted 26th in 2018, and was sent over just as a gift. He will likely be waived or traded.
As for the Clippers, they have acquired 14th pick Miller, who is known to be drama in the locket room. He currently plays in the G-League and is fed up. Paul Millsap isn't quite the starting PF that this team wants, but with his $23M expiring contract, they will look to let him go t his off season.

Trail Blazers trade: Anton Watson, SF / Al-Farouq Aminu, PF
Kings trade: Allen Crabbe, SG / Doug McDermott, SF
The Kings gain a young SF who was drafted 17th in 2021 and an expiring $7M contract for the rebuild

Timberwolves trade: Andrew Wiggins, SF / 2026 2nd round
Pistons trade: Blake Griffin, PF
With newly drafted Edwards in the SG and Covington in the SF, Wiggins just didnt fit in. The Timberwolves absorb Griffins massive contract, which is $175.42M over 5 years. He will fit in beside KAT and Draymond Green.
The Pistons lose a starting PF, but have also shed his contract. Wiggins joins the Pistons with a 2yr/$65M contract and a starting spot in the SF.

Wizards trade: Gorgui Dieng, C
Pelicans trade: Cristiano Felicio
Nothing here, just a swap of centers

Kings trade: JaMychal Green, PF / Hunter Dickinson, C
Bucks trade: 2023 1st (LOT Protected) / JaVale McGee, C
The rebuild is on in Sacramento. They have Bagley at the PF and Wiseman in for the C. They gain not only a 1st, but also an expiring contract.
The Bucks have gained a talented player who can start at the PF position and a 20 year old prospect.



Season Injuries
Gary Payton II - Raptors - Torn Left ACL
Eric Bledsoe - Bucks - Torn Right ACL


Top 5
EAST
Philadelphia 76ers --- 28-9
Miami Heat --- 22-12
New York Knicks --- 12-15
Boston Celtics --- 21-15
Washington Wizards --- 20-14

WEST
Houston Rockets --- 24-10
L.A Lakers --- 24-12
Utah Jazz --- 1-13
Portland Trail Blazers --- 18-15
San Antonio Spurs --- 19-17

Bottom 5
EAST
Milwaukee Bucks --- 13-23
Chicago Bulls --- 15-21
Indiana Pacers --- 14-19
Detroit Pistons --- 15-19
Charlotte Hornets --- 18-18


WEST
Sacramento Kings --- 8-27
Memphis Grizzlies --- 11-25
Oklahoma City Thunder --- 13-23
Phoenix Suns --- 13-23
L.A Clippers --- 13-22