1 Major Question For EVERY NBA Team

Bleacher Report puts together an article, one major question for every NBA team after 2026 NBA off season. And traditionally, we see article like this, if it's fire, we react to it, and yada yada yada. I'm not just reacting to this article. I'm going to answer the major question that the BR writers, Greg Schwar- Schwartz, put together, and I'll see how many of them I get right um in a year or two, whenever. Uh leave a like, subscribe. This video is brought to you by Factor. Factor delivers chef-crafted, dietitian-approved meals straight to your doorstep. These meals are created with real ingredients that you know and love, like lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and two type of veggies per meal. I love it because these Factor meals are done in just in just 2 minutes. When I'm really in my work mode, sometimes I completely forget to eat, but popping a great meal into the microwave for 2 minutes makes it so much easier. Got to eat like a pro. Today, we're eating Santa Fe style green chile beef skillet skillet skillet poke bowls. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Just like that, it is ready to eat. Looked amazing, and it only took 2 minutes. No prep, no cleanup. Come on, man, the perfect deal. Like 92% of people that are using Factor are saying that Factor is making their life easier. Why would you not want to try that? And you know that I got you a deal. Head over to factor75.com or click the link in the description, use code KennyFB50. You're like, Kenny, what does that get? That gives you 50% off your first box with Factor, plus free breakfast for a year. That is KennyFB50 at factor75.com for you to get half off your first box and one free year of breakfast with Factor. Shout out again to Factor for sponsoring this video. So, the picture is Bron and VJ. I would assume that their question for the 76ers is there too many mouths to feed? Cuz that's the that's that is the major question. All right, starting off with the Atlanta Hawks. Can Jaylen Johnson be the best player on a championship team? I'm going to force myself to go yes or no on everyone, not saying maybe or I think so. I'm going to I'm going to get I'm going to try to give a definite answer. And my answer to this is no. He he can't. Not Not today at least. He basically just got his first real scent of what it's like to be the best player on a playoff team. You know, I know he's been to the playoffs before, but that's when he was a role player and and whatever whatever. Um and we saw that like, you know, there there is parts of his game that he needs to continue to develop in order to be the best player on a championship team. Think about all of the best players on championship teams from from Jalen Brunson to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Steph Curry to Tatum/Jaylen Brown depending on how you look at that. The these guys have a truly truly diverse half-court bag in a lot of cases. And I think Jaylen Johnson is still working through that and to think that he was already an All-Star with his half-court game maybe not being the prettiest makes me feel like maybe one day he could be the best player on a championship team, but if you're asking me for the 2026-2027 season, I'd probably Nope, not not probably. I will say no. Again, no probablys today. No maybes. We just we we flowing, baby. Then we get the Boston Celtics. Is the title window already closed? Um I'm going to say no, the title window is not closed. Would I pick them to win the championship in the 2026-2027 season? Absolutely not. I don't see them as a contender this season, but then when you think about a window being closed that that the way I interpret that is as long as Jayson Tatum is here, they cannot I think there is a world where based on what they got back for Jaylen Brown, some of them picks being maybe interesting and them trying to not reset the deck but reshuffle the deck that maybe in a year or two they could be back into that contention pool. So, I won't say the window is closed, but it's not as open as it was last season or the year before that. Is that a good answer? Moving on [snorts] to the Brooklyn Nets. Is it time to be buyers? The answer is is yeah, I believe so. And they knew that too. That's why they go out there and they get Julius Randle. I read this morning that they may not be too interested in extending Michael Porter Jr. at his evaluation, but I do think, you know, Joe Tsai has said before last season that this is going to be their last year tanking. I mean, he didn't use the word tanking. I'm going to use the word tanking uh cuz they don't have their own pick in 2027, right? And they did end up getting a nice pick in Michael Brown. Um but I think yeah, I think it's time to continue to put some pieces around some of these other dudes. Um and I think the beauty of it is they don't have to be super buyers right now. I think Julius Randle is such a good pick up for what they're trying to do. Y'all know him as a floor raising type of talent and he's not I know a lot of people are body doctor uh body language doctors when it comes to Julius Randle. He's not he's more positive than detrimental to your team, I would I would say. And the best thing about it is that they don't have to buy today. They could buy in February. They can buy in this off season. Cuz I think they still have to figure out their pecking order when it comes to those super young guys, the five picks they brought in last year versus the picks they got in this year. Which which of these guys are part of our long-term future, which of them are not. And then when you figure that out, then you buy a little bit. Next, we got the Charlotte Hornets. Was it the best time to trade LaMelo Ball? And again, I'm going to get my definite answer and say no. That's me just being a fan of what Charlotte was last season, of being sad that he doesn't play there anymore. But he looks really good in this jersey. I can't wait to see him play. But I can understand the counter argument to the people that said it is the perfect time to trade LaMelo. It was his most healthy season out of four years. He was on the court and they were good. And you think about his contract and you say, "Hey, if we in this hypothetical, we keep LaMelo and he struggles to stay healthy, we may never be able to get back a Naz Reid and pick swaps or whatever it may be for LaMelo. We may have to just eat the contract." I am a firm believer that LaMelo is just a positive player. I know that may not be breaking news, but there are people that have been anti-LaMelo throughout his career saying that he wouldn't be a guy that can translate to wins. And while the Hornets have only made play-in runs twice in his era with the Hornets, I still think that when he is on the floor and when he is healthy, he is a net positive. So, I'm going to say it wasn't the perfect time. Time will tell about this sooner rather than later. Some of these other stuff like, you know, with the Celtics window closed, it may take a few years before we say, "Oh yeah, it was closed in 2026." We going to find this out pretty pretty quick. If the Hornets don't look good 2 months into the season, three months into the season, you're like, "Oof." It says Ball, Brandon Miller, Kai Jones, Nick Richards, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté registered a net rating of a plus 27.4. Yeah, it was that crazy. The Chicago Bulls, is the franchise finally on track? Yes, it is on the right track. Absolutely. You know, this guy right here, Mr. Mr. number eight, I'm still waiting on the jersey, by the way. He going He's going to be one of the cuz I don't want to put too much on a 19-year-old. I think he may have just turned 20. A 20-year-old shoulders to say he's going to be the savior of the city when it comes to basketball. But, he is the first stepping stone in turning things around in Chicago. Hey, y'all. It's been a very long time since I've been really happy watching my favorite team play. I think we're on the right track. I think they got the right people making decisions. And though Dalen Terry did not look good in Summer League, I am a believer. He was one of my sleepers in the draft. I didn't think he was going to go as high as he did, but I still believe that he is a really good or will be a really good NBA player. So, boom. I believe that the franchise is right back on track. Who starts at small forward? I bet the I bet the Cavs are hoping that it is Jaylen Tyson. Cuz that would mean that Jaylen Tyson spent a lot of his off season and was like, "Oh, I'm going to do the things that, you know, that may have prevented me from being a super, super high minutes guy when it comes to the post season." I know Max Strus stretches that floor and that's really important and they missed him a ton last season. But, if I were to guess right now who's going to start, I would say Max Strus would start, but they're hoping that Jaylen Tyson is the guy to be in the starting position. Shout out to Sandro, too, who's in that conversation. Is keeping Kyrie Irving a mistake? I would say no, man. It just feels like whether be the Dallas Mavericks or some of the other teams that may have called for Kyrie, that Kyrie is still looked at as a valuable player and also a valuable locker room guy. I know that might be a little different than what it was six or seven years ago. So, but no, I don't I don't see it as such. I mean, they they traded for Zach LaVine, who I would say who's a project in himself. They got Santi Aldama. I think the Dallas Mavericks are going to be a competitive team and for having Kyrie Irving, hoping that he's going to be healthy and good as he was last time he was healthy, I don't think it's bad to keep him around because, again, it's not like a decision that is in stone today. If we're 2 months into the season and if you're like, oh, we should capitalize on Kyrie's value, they could still do it. But as of today, I would say no, it is not a mistake to keep Kyrie Irving. Denver Nuggets, will financial problems doom the franchise? Yes, I believe that's going to be the case. It's unfortunate because I think that the Denver Nuggets did 90% of things correct in this Jokic era when it comes to team building and stuff. The other 10% that I would say maybe not the greatest is that, you know, some of the contracts they've given out have been huge. Like Michael Porter Jr.'s contract was so ridiculous that even though he was really important to the team, they had to trade him away because you just can't have four people making 35 to 60 million dollars a year. So, some of the contracts they've given out has gotten them to the point where they are looked at to be I think the only second apron team this season, if I'm not mistaken. And that's like Payton Watson still don't have a deal. Payton Watson may have to be signed and traded because of the financial things. Not because they don't like P-Wat, not because they don't want him a part of the future, but it is one of the easier solutions to their their financial problems. And you look at even further down the line, we might get to the point where the blue arrow, Mr. 27, might have to get moved just because of the financial thing. So, unfortunately, I will say financial problems has doomed the Denver Nuggets. But the the silver lining is they still have one of the two best players in the world on their team and he could still lead a team to a championship even if they have to cut costs other places. Next, we got Detroit Pistons. Who is the secondary creator next to Cade? Oof. Listen, I actually don't know how to answer to that one. Um I mean, again, I'm trying to give a definite answer for everything, but damn it, I don't know. Uh >> [laughter] >> I don't know, dog. I Um It's Cade, man, and it's you know, I think about all of these superstar across basketball and I say like, hey, Shai Shai's got J-Dub who can create or Jokic got Jamal or Wemby's got, even though he sucked in the finals, De'Aaron Fox and and Dillon Harper. And I just think about some of these other superstar players across league. Don't I have to mention they went to go get James Harden for you. And I I just look at came like damn. He's got the most on his plate than like all of those guys just because his secondary off like his off ball breathing moments are like this in comparison to some of these other guys. So who's that guy? I don't know. I'm sorry. I I was I wanted to give you all the right answer or a definite answer for everyone. I can't I can't give it for this because I don't know. Who they suggesting? Uh losing Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart. Yeah, I don't they don't even have a goddamn The Golden State Warriors, can you afford to wait for Jimmy Butler? The answer is no. I don't believe you can afford to wait for Jimmy Butler. I think that both of these conferences are so ridiculous that you could get left in the dust if you're the Golden State Warriors waiting for Jimmy to come back and let's say let's say he got injured in February. So let's get let's give it a full 12 months. I don't know if he needs 12 months. Let's give him a full 12 months. He comes back after right at the All-Star break. The Western Conference is so crazy that they might be not out of the race, but they might be so far down it's like it's too it's too late for Jimmy Butler. Right? And that's why I was so adamant about the Warriors being I don't know they said that they were Mike Dunleavy said they were aggressive and I'm just like bro, I've heard that before from my front office over the last 5 years before you know, we got new guys in there. Saying that you're aggressive to your fan base when you did nothing does nothing for the fan base. You don't get a pat on the back if you're Mike Dunleavy by saying we were aggressive, but we didn't do anything other than bring back everybody. You know? Cuz I think there's a level of aggression that if you wanted to make some shake, you could make some shake. So they can't I don't think they can afford to wait for Jimmy Butler. Steph Curry is that good that they will still be competitive every single night because word L even at age 37 8 I don't remember. He is still one of the best players in the world. As long as he's got his guy next to him Draymond Green who's you know, on the back end of his career as well, they can be competitive for sure. But as far as that that title window and trying to maximize whatever's left of Steph Curry, they can't wait for Jimmy. Next we got the Houston Rockets. Is a point guard upgrade needed? Another one of the ones where I would say I'm going to say no as of today. The best part about it is they got all the things in the world to make that happen eventually. Between Freddy's contract, I know they already traded D'Angelo, but between Freddy's contract and they don't want to trade Steven Adams, but he's going to be dealing with that injury coming back from. They got the money to maybe be like X point guard is available, we can throw young assets, draft picks, and contracts to make it happen. But I am excited to see Freddy come back. Shout out to Fred. And I do think they were missing a guy that is as steady as Mr. Vanvleet in that lineup. Um so, I would I would hold off on that as of today. Next, we got the Indiana Pacers. Will Tyrese Haliburton return to his former self? Yes. Um and I'm I'm only saying that I mean I don't I don't know, but I I'm going to say that because I am rooting for him to do that. That's my guy. Um actually, he he we just did a podcast together today. Um that'll come out Saturday. And he looks and he sounds as confident as anything. I even asked him this exact question like does he believe he'll get back to his final his his former self? And he said something along the lines of yes, um but he needs to get his he needs to get beat up right now like during these offseason workouts. And he said that's happening, but he feels 100% comfortable and confident that he's going to get back. And the Pacers are going to be back. So, I'm excited for that. So, I would say yes, absolutely. I think it's better for basketball if Haliburton is doing his thing. Next, we got the Clippers. What's the plan exactly? Um well, I think the plan is to wait out this investigation and see if there's going to be consequences from it. But outside of that, um I don't know. I mean, they were I don't use the word gifted cuz Zubac's act is a really good ball player, but they were they were given the fifth overall pick. They took a guy that they believe can be one of the franchise cornerstones. And it's not again, it's not 2024 anymore. You winning 16 games is not beneficial to anybody with this new this new 3-2-1 method and all. And I'm saying I don't even think the Clippers have their own draft capital in most of these cases. But like having a young player like Kenan Wagler who you're you're helping to build around while simultaneously having real NBA players like Darius Garland or Rui Hachimura is not a negative part. Um So, do I agree completely with all of the moves they've made? Maybe not exactly, but I don't think they're doing anything wrong either, right? They got a guy, they believe in him, and now we got pieces around him, and we watch him mold into the player that he's going to be. Are the Lakers locked into an average roster? Mhm, you know what? I think an average roster with a generational player isn't an above average roster. You know what I mean? You take Luka off the team, you say, "Oh my goodness, this is a team you But you add Luka to the team, you say, "Oh my goodness." You know, you know, it's all about the tone and inflection in in the words you're saying. It's "Oh my goodness." It's "Oh my goodness." You know, like So, they're they're truly asking like they paid a lot for Walker Kessler, got him a lot of money, and then they spent the remaining budget on some of the other players that are solid players, but none of them is going like are we looking at the Lakers as a as a contender where you have contenders like OKC or San Antonio or the New York Knicks that just won? And do you look at the Lakers and say, "Oh, they're in the same tier?" No. So, the question is, are they locked into this without having draft capital or much draft capital? The answer is, yeah, they are locked into it, but because you have Luka, that's not the most awful thing in the world. That's how good Luka Dončić is. That's how good he is. And the Lakers always find a way to do a stupid trade where they win. You know what I mean? I mean, Luka Dončić was given to them at a random 1:00 in the after at night. The Grizzlies, is this a sneaky play-in team? I'm going to say no, but I'm not mad at it. I've been preaching all off season that the Grizzlies are one of my favorite teams I'm anticipating. If they were sneaky play-in team, my god. Um but I don't think so. I don't I think they're going to be super fun to watch. I think they're going to be competitive on most nights, but play-in, ooh, now I got to think about the teams. So, who would have to drop out? I don't know. I'm going to say I'm just going to say no, but boy would I be excited if they were. Next, we got the Miami Heat. Is there enough shooting? I would say no. Straight up no. I think they did the plan. The plan was to go acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, the rest That That's actually the tougher part between acquiring the superstar talent and putting the right players around the superstar player. I mean, I would assume based on I guess nothing that Giannis would be re-signing an extension sooner rather than later. So, while I don't think they have the necessary shooting today, they have some time to maybe put that together. But no, I don't I don't think they have the necessary shooting. It kind of is Tim Hardaway Jr. as a plus-three-point shooter. Davion Mitchell gives you flashes to make you feel like he can. He can sometimes is a really good shooter, sometimes he's hitting side of backboard. But I'm just going to say overall, not enough for opposing teams to care. I think that's the best way to describe it. If I'm playing the Miami Heat, I'm still loading up on Giannis. Tim Hardaway Jr. is a great shooter. Don't give a damn about him today. Giannis is down there. Davion Davion Mitchell might hit three in a game, I'm still be like, "Ah, Giannis over here." You know, so no. The Milwaukee Bucks, try to win now or develop talent. Um, I don't think they really have much of a choice but to develop talent. Uh, it's not like there's a ton of really good ball players on this team. And the guys that are good, like Tyler Herro is not an old ball player. He's been around the block, you know, he's been around the league for a long time it feels, but he ain't 28. Is he? If I had to guess, Tyler Herro is 26. I mean, 26 and 28 ain't that crazy, but he's 26, yeah. So, it's not like they got a bunch And then the the veterans or the older guys they have, like a Kuzma or Myles Turner, those guys are just not good enough to help you win now. So, I say you go develop talent, which means like I think that the first couple months of the season, Caleb Ware probably is coming off the bench for Myles Turner, but it's like a showcase thing. Myles Turner is going to start and hopefully entice some one of the other 2019 teams to trade for him, and then boom, Caleb Ware, you're our starter for the rest of the season. And Tyler Herro, you're going to you're going to start because you're only 26. But like Braden Burks is probably not ready to start at this time. So, it's okay if he's playing a bench role the first couple months of his career. So, develop that talent, y'all. Minnesota Timberwolves, who starts at the four? Yeah, this is a question I've had too, because I think it's easy to just point out to say LaMelo and Ayo, Jaden, and Rudy Gobert. It's a really good five-man unit, but it's not just about who's starting, it's about who's guarding what. Well, like Jaden McDaniels does a he's a great great does a great job of guarding wings and guards. He sizes down when he sizes up. So, when you go against the team what's what's just another what's the team after that? The Pelicans. When you go against the Pelicans, maybe not the greatest example, who do you who in that lineup is going to be guarding Zion Williamson? When you're going against the Brooklyn Nets twice a year, who's guarding Julius Randle? Like those are bigger-bodied guys. While Jaden can show you flashes of that, I feel like his best version of himself is when he is guarding one of the ball handlers. So, now are you asking Anthony Edwards to guard fours? Are you asking Ayo Dosunmu to guard fours? You asking LaMelo who's tall, but still stint frame, is he guarding fours? I don't know. So, to get to answer the question, Jaden McDaniels starts at the four, who guards fours? I have no idea. Uh Pelicans, do they know the offseason started they know this offseason started, right? Yes, they do know. Next. Uh the New York Knicks, will they regret not going to the second apron? Um will they regret not going into the second apron? I don't think so. Mitchell Robinson obviously played a huge part in all of these years when they were really bad to now winning a championship and so on. But, the second apron it it's feared for a reason. There's only one team in there for a reason, right? And that team, Denver, they don't want to be there. And while I don't think that Drummond can fill the shoes of Mitchell Robinson as an energy guy, as an offensive rebounder, and a like a a tone setter. Like, what series was that? Not this last postseason run, but when they, you know, last year's postseason where he came into the game and he just sparked everything. I don't think that Drummond has that same effect, but I think he can do 60% of what Mitchell Rob- Oh, that don't sound like a good number. I Yeah. I don't think they'll regret it though. Okay, see, can Jay Dub bounce back? Yes. And not only can he, he will. He will. Next, let's move on to the Orlando Magic. Is a major shakeup needed? I do believe this is going to be the last October, November, December, January, February, the last five months of these guys being together. If it's not looking as good as we think it could, I was a huge buyer of them after the D'Angelo Russell and trade. Obviously didn't look that great. They ended the season pretty solidly. Unfortunately, they blew that 3-1 lead to the the Detroit Pistons, but I do think there is a world where one of their two forwards is moved or Suggs is moved in in favor of maybe Anthony Black or maybe Anthony Black is moved. Um it did say the starting lineup here was pretty good. Plus 11 net rating, that's good. They just didn't play a ton of time together due to injury. So, is a major shakeup needed? No. Not yet. Philly, are there too many mouths to feed? Exact question I expected to see here. The answer's no. I don't I think that, you know, and I I feel better about this after we interviewed Tyrese Maxey, go check that out on the numbers on the board YouTube channel. Where like I do believe they'll find a way to make it work. Maxey being so selfless, Bron showing you over last season that he can be a third option when necessary, you know, Joel Embiid looking good in the gym, Jaylen Brown playing with a chip on the shoulder another chip on his shoulder. I I think they'll be fine. Now, do I still think they're going to am I a person that thinks they're going to win a championship? No, but I think that's okay. Uh Portland Trail Blazers, how will the guard playing time be divided? I have no idea. They got Ja and and Dame. Both guys are projected to be completely healthy going into next season. They got Drew. They got Shaedon. They got Scoot. Am I forgetting about somebody? That's five guards and some of those guards are more on-ball than off-ball. I actually don't have an answer to this. I can't tell you how they're staggering. I can't cuz like Joe Ingles hasn't been a bench player in how long? If ever? Shaedon Sharpe has been a starter almost the entirety of his his NBA career. I know he got benched eventually from uh Chauncey, but like and then Scoot Henderson is a guy you just used a third overall pick on second third overall pick second third overall pick on a few years back. So, I I actually throw my hands up and say I ain't got the answer to this one. Um I got Mike D'Antoni, man. He got his hands full. He got his hands full. The Phoenix Suns, what's a realistic ceiling? I don't know. I mean, I I mentioned this on the video a few few days ago that based on everything we've heard for or everything we've seen in history, the year after the surprise jump is always harder than the actual jump. I still think this is a good and talented team. I still think they're going to go into the next season uh well-coached and all, but they won't be surprising teams anymore. And I think it's a different monster when when people recognize what your identity is cuz this Suns team played harder than most teams in basketball last season. That's what they hung their hat. But now you say, "Hmm, we know what the Suns going to do. We know they're going to play hard. We're going to match their energy. How many wins can they get?" The big three of Devin Booker and Oh my god, big three. Uh Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green only had a net rating of a plus 1.1 together last season. That's way lower than I thought. I didn't think they was, you know, Charlotte Hornets good, but I didn't think it was going to be almost neutral. Um what is a realistic a ceiling ceiling? Remember that's that's realistic ceiling, not what I think they're going to do. A realistic ceiling, I would say, matter of fact, what did they win last year? Hold on, hold on. They won 45 last season. I would say a realistic ceiling is like 48. Yeah. Uh oh my god, what a picture. Whoa. I love that picture. Uh is is this the worst defense in the NBA ever? Oh my god, I didn't even realize they finished third worst defensive rating in the history of basketball last season. Let's go with it. Yeah. Let's see some history. We every year we see teams break Oh Oh you remember OKC was the greatest offense of all time. Oh, they also was the greatest defense of all time. Yeah, now let's see the worst worst offense of all time. Somebody got to get it, dammit. Worst defense of all time. Let it be the Kings. Yeah, they're going to be the worst defense of all time. Spurs, when will Dillon Harper start over De'Aaron Fox? Yeah, this is a conversation that's been happening since the the playoffs. Yeah, we know that. But when will it happen is the question. I'm going to say it happens February 17th, 2027. Why that day? Just a number that came to mind. Uh Toronto Raptors, can Kawhi Leonard still be a number one option on a title team? I would say I would say yes. I understand why you would question it, the the durability part of it, and I obviously age, it's it's no surprise, and everybody's getting older every single day, and as you get older in the league, your window to be the best player, the window to do this, continues to get smaller and smaller. But, I do believe that even at 35 years old, Kawhi Leonard could be the best player on the team. Will he Will that happen? No. Uh Utah Jazz, is Ace Bailey headed towards a bench role? So, they're probably projected Yeah, it says right here, they're projected Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson, Jusuf Nurkić to be in the front court, while De'Aaron Peterson and Keyonte George are the backcourt. Um I tried to ask Jaren this also, he was on an episode, like what he expect that lineup to look like. He said, "I don't know, coach going to figure it out." Cuz I am also intrigued as well. Ace Bailey had many, many moments in last season where you You remember that he was highly touted. He's not going to start over these two guys. So, it's like Jaren, I can't see him being a full top five anytime soon. So, I guess Yeah, Ace Bailey has to be a bench role. Lastly, the Washington Wizards, does Anthony Davis get an extension? I think he does. Uh I don't know how much money, I don't know how many years, but I would I would bet money that he does get some level of an extension coming up soon. I know they said they want to wait until the season, which I think is smart from the Washington Wizards' perspective, but I think they will end up extending him. I answered all 30 questions. You let me know what you think. Do you agree or disagree with my answers? Uh I don't know, it's fun.