What’s subsequent for Nuggets, Thunder, Cavs and Knicks after shedding within the NBA playoffs?

The 2024 NBA Playoffs has already been very eventful to say the least. A number of superstar-heavy groups had been despatched packing manner sooner than they hoped, and now the defending champions and two different top-seeded contenders will be a part of them in Cancun after simply the second spherical.

This low season was already anticipated to be a busy one, however after these robust losses, rumblings of massive trades are solely going to develop louder. So the place do the Nuggets, Thunder, Cavaliers, and Knicks go from right here?

Do they begin a whole rebuild? Reload and check out once more? Someplace within the center? That’s what we’ll attempt to determine right here, as we run down the following steps for each NBA crew that confronted a second spherical exit.

WEST

Denver Nuggets

57-25 season, No. 2 seed within the West, Misplaced 4-3 to Timberwolves

Below contract: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Zeke Nnaji, Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson

Participant possibility: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson

Crew possibility: Vlatko Cancar

Present crew wage: $191 million, in keeping with Wage Swish

Projected wage cap house: $32 million to $71 million over the cap (already over the second apron)

Subsequent strikes: Get a backup level guard, enhance the bench and check out once more.

Photograph by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Put up by way of Getty Photographs

Who may’ve predicted that the reigning champion Nuggets wouldn’t get previous the second spherical? And for that to occur after a Sport 7, the place they had been up 20 at house? Bananas!

Simply a few months in the past, it could’ve appeared inconceivable for the always-poised defending champions to lose three house video games and exit like that, however right here we’re. I’m certain scorching takes will fly, however regardless of the Sport 7 loss, the Nuggets are nonetheless respectable contenders and may positively attempt to proceed with this championship core.

The problem they’ll begin to run into, although, is with the luxurious tax and all of the added restrictions. They had been within the second apron this yr and sure might be once more subsequent season. They’ll have very restricted choices for enhancements, however with some actual holes to handle.

The Nuggets misplaced some depth in comparison with their championship yr, and positively can’t afford to additionally lose Caldwell-Pope, who additionally they can’t correctly change if he opts out of his $15 million deal. Murray additionally appeared banged up even from the primary spherical – years of lengthy playoff runs will try this – and so they’ll positively want a greater backup level guard than Reggie Jackson.

Kids like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson soaked up prolonged minutes in the course of the season, with the Nuggets attempting to each relaxation their core stars and nurture depth for the long run. It’s a wise technique, as fellow second-apron groups just like the Suns, Bucks and Clippers rapidly obtained outdated, however the Nuggets will nonetheless want higher bench assist than they’d this postseason.

They’ll have the twenty eighth and 56th picks within the draft, Zeke Nnaji’s $8.8 million contract to match salaries in a commerce, plus minimal contracts to signal free brokers to. Denver must get artistic to enhance, with probably the most obvious wants at backup heart and level guard positions held by DeAndre Jordan and Jackson, respectively.

They’ll attempt to lure veterans to chase a hoop, or hope they take a reduction to play with the three-time MVP in Jokic, a prepared passer who frequently makes gamers look higher. The sector of minimum-player free brokers can embrace somebody like Andre Drummond or Patrick Beverley, nevertheless it’ll be slim pickings.

It was a disappointing exit and will probably be a problem so as to add to this roster, however outdoors of Nuggets possession’s willingness to take care of the tax, there’s actually no must panic simply but.

The sky isn’t falling. The MVP in Jokic continues to be simply 29, and everybody on their core crew outdoors of Caldwell-Pope (31) is youthful.

Reload or Rebuild?

No must overreact. Simply reload with just a few minor additions.

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder

57-25 season, No. 1 seed within the West, Misplaced 4-2 to Mavs

Below contract: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams, Cason Wallace, Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, Adam Flagler

Crew possibility: Lindy Waters III, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins

Non-guaranteed: Jaylin Williams

Present crew wage: $102 million, in keeping with Wage Swish

Projected wage cap house: From $35 million to $37 million below the cap

Subsequent strikes: Use cap house to enhance on an already promising roster

Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs

Dropping an elimination recreation they led by 17 at one level will sting fairly a bit. There are nonetheless a number of positives for the Thunder although, after a breakthrough yr that noticed them get the highest spot within the West. Not solely did this very younger crew get invaluable playoff expertise, additionally they have some ways to enhance on what’s already a top-notch crew.

OKC already has an MVP-caliber chief in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and promising future stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams that had them trying like an actual contender at factors this yr. With younger gamers nonetheless on rookie offers and Gordon Hayward’s huge contract coming off their books, the Thunder may have a number of cap house to choose up key items that might get them over the hump.

The Thunder will get costly within the coming years when extensions kick in, however now could be the right time to strike.

Match and timelines are debatable, however veteran free brokers like Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan and Tobias Harris is likely to be accessible for less-than-max offers. The Thunder may use their cap house and huge trove of picks to outbid anybody and get even better-fitting gamers in a commerce.

The Thunder even have a necessity for rebounding bigs, with names like Jarrett Allen and Julius Randle doubtlessly accessible on the commerce block (extra on that later), however they’ll doubtless need somebody that may nonetheless match of their 5-out offense. In return, they’ll construct a bundle round picks and the proficient however questionable slot in Josh Giddey, who misplaced his minutes and starter spot within the Mavs collection.

After their offseason strikes replenish the cap, they’ll most likely even deliver again Hayward on a smaller deal in the event that they select to take action. They’ll even have a few exceptions to choose up extra veterans and assist these kids make that leap.

It appears fairly loopy to suppose {that a} 57-win crew nonetheless has a number of room to develop and enhance, however that’s precisely the place the Thunder is now. The longer term is brilliant, and Sam Presti nonetheless has a number of property and adaptability to attempt to take them from a promising playoff crew to elite championship contender for years to return.

Reload or Rebuild?

Reload round SGA and this younger core, however hopefully with one other key piece and veteran assist.

EAST

Cleveland Cavaliers

48-34 season, No. 4 seed within the East, Misplaced 4-1 to Celtics

Below contract: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Georges Niang, Dean Wade, Ty Jerome

Non-guaranteed: Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr.

Present crew wage: $156 million, in keeping with Wage Swish

Projected wage cap house: $19 million to $48 million over the cap

Subsequent strikes: Determine Donovan Mitchell’s subsequent steps, then kind out the roster log jam.

Photograph by Jason Miller/Getty Photographs

This complete offseason might be centered on what Donovan Mitchell needs to do subsequent.

The Cavs had been hoping for a deep playoff run to appease their star, however after barely scraping previous the Magic in seven video games, they had been booted within the second spherical. You may argue there’s no disgrace in shedding to the top-seeded Celtics, particularly with all these accidents, however will Mitchell see it that manner? Does it even matter?

There are early reviews that the Cavs are contemplating letting go of fifth-year head coach JB Bickerstaff, however that form of looks like a technique to appease Mitchell greater than the rest.

The Cavs might want to have a severe speak with the five-time All-Star, after which determine the place to go from there. He’s nonetheless below contract till at the very least subsequent season, so whereas it looks like there’s technically no must rush, he’s already concerned in a number of commerce hypothesis for a cause.

Mitchell is due for a max extension, which the Cavs will provide, however ought to he decline, he can opt-out in 2025. And with the crew beforehand giving up three first spherical picks, two decide swaps, Collin Sexton, and a participant who grew to become an all-star in Lauri Markkanen, they won’t need to threat shedding Mitchell for nothing.

Groups just like the Lakers and Nets reportedly have commerce affords prepared, and the Rockets might specific curiosity as properly. Mitchell will even have some management, as he can threaten being a one-year rental to groups he doesn’t need to transfer to.

Would the Lakers’ three first spherical picks and younger gamers like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino be sufficient? Mitchell is a New Yorker, and Brooklyn may have a whopping seven tradable first spherical picks and possibly everybody not named Mikal Bridges accessible. The Pelicans (with Ingram) and Magic may additionally swoop in and outbid everybody with their picks and house in the event that they wished.

There’s a lot that may occur, however anticipate issues to go rapidly as soon as Mitchell makes that call.

As soon as that domino falls, there’ll be different issues to kind out, particularly with their logjams of getting two undersized, ball-dominant guards, plus two non-shooting bigs of their present beginning 5.

Ought to Mitchell signal his extension and keep, Darius Garland’s future reportedly turns into unsure. Exterior of their guard state of affairs, Jarrett Allen may be on the transfer, as he doesn’t have one of the best match with Mobley, who’s seen as their star massive man for years to return.

Each gamers made the All-Star crew in the course of the Cavs’ 51-win marketing campaign in 2022, and may most likely fetch the Cavs a good haul. Garland, nonetheless simply 24, can curiosity younger groups or be a comfort prize for whoever hoped to land Mitchell, Trae Younger or Dejounte Murray. There additionally received’t be a scarcity of suitors for a former All-Star heart like Allen, who averaged nearly 17 factors and 11 rebounds.

The Cavs are already a good playoff crew with a celebrity in Mitchell and three fringe All-Stars, however anticipate a drastically different-looking core, and presumably even a brand new coach within the subsequent a number of weeks.

Reload or Rebuild?

Whether or not Mitchell strikes or not, we are able to anticipate main trades as this crew rebuilds their proficient however mismatched core.

New York Knicks

50-32, No. 2 seed within the East, Misplaced 4-3 to Pacers

Below contract: Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride

Participant possibility: OG Anunoby

Crew possibility: DaQuan Jeffries, Jericho Sims

Non-guaranteed: Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite

Present crew wage: $150 million, in keeping with Wage Swish

Projected cap house: From $25 million below the cap to $67 million over the cap

Subsequent strikes: Get wholesome, hold Anunoby… commerce Randle?

Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs

The Knicks appeared like a drastically improved crew after buying and selling for OG Anunoby, so their foremost precedence this low season needs to be getting a dedication and never threat shedding him to any of the groups going big-game looking.

Jalen Brunson’s gutsy playoff run and emergence as a celebrity has been unbelievable, however taking place with a damaged hand in Sport 7 was the ultimate intestine punch for a crew completely decimated with accidents. Whereas outdated and never totally honest, the narrative on Thibodeau working gamers down will solely proceed after Brunson, Anunoby, Hart, Randle, Robinson and Bogdanovic all obtained harm this season.

Even with a wholesome crew although, the Knicks nonetheless have flaws of their roster, which they need to tackle this low season.

Happily, they’ll have commerce property, some cap flexibility, and a number of draft picks to observe up on that mid-season rebuild. They’ll have two first spherical picks within the upcoming draft, plus a number of extra within the years to return. With Thibodeau unlikely to need that many rookies, anticipate them to be featured in almost each commerce rumor this summer time… once more.

Randle had shoulder surgical procedure and hasn’t performed since January, however the second-seeded Knicks performed very well in his absence, so he would be the identify introduced up probably the most. He may have $30 million within the books for yet another season and may decide out within the following yr, so it does make sense to attempt to transfer him now. Randle nonetheless averaged 24 factors, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists, nevertheless it’ll be curious to see what occurs to his commerce worth after solely taking part in 46 video games this season.

Isaiah Hartenstein additionally confirmed a number of promise in Randle’s absence, however the seven-footer’s massive yr will doubtless price the Knicks much more than his earlier $9 million deal in free company. DiVincenzo was the opposite breakout participant, and luckily for them, he might be on a team-friendly contract till 2028. Bogdanovic’s $19 million contract can also be non-guaranteed, so the Knicks may have some attention-grabbing and movable items to go star looking once more.

Knicks mainly had a profitable “pre-agency” or mid-season rebuild that made them a 50-win crew for the primary time in over 20 years. They actually ought to proceed that now as they transfer ahead with Brunson, Anunoby, and presumably DiVincenzo and Hart as properly.

Reload or Rebuild?

Knicks already overachieved and may proceed their rebuild round Brunson and Anunoby.