Our journey towards the NBA season continues. Today our focus is on the analysis of the Pacific Division, with the two Los Angeles teams, Golden State, Sacramento and Phoenix.
Golden State Warriors:
Klay Thompson‘s departure in free agency marked the end of an era at the Warriors. The four-time NBA champion with Golden State has in fact decided to leave the bay after 13 years to start a new adventure with the Dallas Mavericks shirt, forcing the franchise coached by Steve Kerr to look around the market. To replace him, the Californians decided to sign Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton. Three new faces that match those left from the Warriors roster. In addition to Klay Thompson, they also said goodbye to Dario Saric and especially Chris Paul, who was cut before July. Once the epic of the Splash Brothers is over, the time has come to open a new chapter at Golden State. Alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green there will be a young man of great prospect like Jonathan Kuminga, from whom we expect an important leap in quality. In addition to the G-League product Ignite, eyes are also on Moses Moody, fresh from a three-year renewal for a total sum of 39 million dollars. Having failed to attack Lauri Markkanen (who remained in Salt Lake City), expectations for the Warriors’ season are relatively low. It is difficult, if not impossible, to access the playoffs from the main door, easier to do so through the play-ins, the achievement of which represents the minimum objective of the season.
Los Angeles Clippers:
Hot summer also in Los Angeles on the Clippers side. The franchise led by Steve Ballmer saw the Leonard-George duo’s experiment end miserably, with the latter – after failing to reach an agreement for a multi-year renewal – deciding to move on to join the Philadelphia 76ers. The Harden-Westrbrook duo is also divided. The former Brooklyn Nets player signed a new contract with the Clippers, while the former OKC franchise man was cut despite having activated his clause to also count on the last year left in his contract. In addition to the arrival of Derrick Jones Jr in free agency and the return to the city of Nic Batum, coach Lue has decided to bet on Kevin Porter Jr and Kai Jones, two young talents who so far have not lived up to expectations due to their respective character problems . As in previous seasons, the results that the Clippers can aspire to depend on the physical condition of Kawhi Leonard, who is already out of action for an indefinite period.
Los Angeles Lakers:
In perfect Hollywood style, the Lakers’ summer was characterized by the James family, with the arrival of Bronny Jr in the yellow-purple jersey on the night of the draft and with Lebron’s renewal in free agency. A sequence of events that therefore leads King to have his eldest son as a teammate, a unique event in the history of the league. JJ Redick will coach Lebron and Bronny and no longer Darwin Ham, who was sacked at the end of last season. The former Clippers player among others and ESPN analyst, in his first experience on the NBA bench, will have to demonstrate that he is able to convey his ideas and vision of basketball to the team, which has so favorably impressed fans of the game , faithful listeners of his podcast which exploded during the past year. From the roster point of view, little has changed, except for the draft choice of Dalton Knecht, a 23-year-old coming out of Tennessee. Direct playoff objective.
Phoenix Suns:
After a disappointing season the Suns are called to redemption and in order not to fail they have decided to focus on Tyus Jones, the most important purchase of the off season. The former Washington Wizards point guard did not find the big contract he hoped for in free agency and opted for a low-cost annual deal in Arizona with the aim of showing off in a contender to test the market again next summer. In addition to Jones, Phoenix has added Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris to its roster, renewing Royce O’Neale, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee and Bol Bol. All considering the presence of the big three: KD-Booker-Beal. With this staff available, new coach Mike Budenholzer has the obligation to try to get to the end.
Sacramento Kings:
Two main pieces of news from the Kings off-season: the renewal of Malik Monk (78 million dollars for 4 years) and the arrival of Demar Derozan from Chicago via sign and trade (74 million dollars in three seasons). Important movements for a team that has just returned from two good seasons (although the last one was interrupted in the decisive play-in match to access the playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans) and that aims to repeat itself to remain in the noble areas of the Western Conference. The competition will be fierce, but injuries permitting, Sacramento can be a loose cannon in the wild west
