8 points, 9 seconds
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Taking stock of the Pacers and the summer

By Jonathan Matthes

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Head Coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Head Coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The West

HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 7: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against Russell Westbrook #0 Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 7: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against Russell Westbrook #0 Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Golden State is loaded. Next.

Houston, Oklahoma City, Utah and the Lakers should make up the best-in-class group. The Rockets got worse. Trevor Ariza (Suns) and Luc Mbah a Moute (Clippers) were integral pieces in Houston. James Ennis will be good for them, but (likely signee) Carmelo Anthony bristled at a similar role in OKC. Speaking of the Thunder, they are going to be liberated without Anthony. If Jerami Grant can hit some corner threes, OKC will have one of the best starting lineups in the league. Utah brought everyone of consequence back, and that’s bad news for the West. The Jazz had the second-best record in basketball when Rudy Gobert returned from injury on January 19. They could finish second. The Lakers have LeBron James, which is enough to vault into the West’s top third.

That takes up five of the eight spots. The remaining three spots are a toss-up.

This is Denver’s best shot at the playoffs. It’s Michael Malone’s fourth year as a coach. They should have a full year with Paul Millsap. They added Isaiah Thomas to be a sparkplug off the bench. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris are an excellent young trio. They simplified their front court. At the very least the Nuggets should be in contention for a playoff spot. If not…there’s always next year, I guess.

Portland’s in an interesting spot. They return their entire starting lineup, which includes the explosive backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. One of Portland’s best attributes was their rotation, which has changed. Shabazz Napier and Ed Davis are gone. Pat Connaughton is unsigned. Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas will have to catch fire immediately or the Trail Blazers could be in trouble. Unless Lillard goes super Saiyan and rescues them again.

New Orleans has one of the best players in the game (Anthony Davis). They will pair him with a couple interchangeable frontcourt mates (Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle), plus an excellent second option on the perimeter (guard, Jrue Holiday). The Pelicans are going to be good. While their depth, again, is questionable, they have more than a puncher’s chance of making their second playoffs in as many years.

The Los Angeles Clippers are the West’s version of Miami: they have good players everywhere. The Clippers depth is going to be their strength. If there is much instability in the West, the steady Clippers should wiggle their way into the postseason. They might do it anyway. It’s just going to be tougher for them without an All-NBA leader.

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Minnesota is one big question mark. There is a lot of smoke surrounding their three best players (Karl-Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins). If Butler has real reason to be concerned about his teammates lack of competitive fire, the Timberwolves could tumble down the standings. They have the talent to win playoff games. Their question isn’t about ability, it’s about their drive.

San Antonio should remain competitive after swapping Kawhi Leonard (and Danny Green) for DeMar DeRozan (and Jakob Poeltl). DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are both all-stars after all, and they still have Gregg Popovich drawing up plays. That might be just enough to squeeze back in. Their ceiling is definitely lower.

There are also three sleepers: Memphis, Dallas and Phoenix. If things break right any of this trio could make the postseason. The Grizzlies return Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, add a stellar rookie (Jaren Jackson Jr.) and finally added depth to their wings (Garrett Temple and Kyle Anderson). If Luka Doncic is everything as advertised, the Mavericks are going to have a very good starting lineup. It’s a similar case in the desert. If DeAndre Ayton is as good as advertised, the deep Suns will be spunky and tough. All three are long shots, but it’s not impossible.

Next: Pacers sign Elijah Stewart to a weird contract that Tony East has to explain in layman's terms

It is impossible for Sacramento. They’ll get another shot at the number one pick next year.

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