Pre-Season 2020 Baller Tiers
Posted: November 26th, 2024, 6:06 pm
Tanking Ballers
Detroit Ballers – After tearing it down mid-season, Detroit went on a wild tank down the stretch. I think RB keeps it up this season with Haliburton playing big minutes and not much around turnover happy Brandon Jennings.
Dallas Ballers – There are few good players left on the Mavericks, who I am trying to trade away. I was able to trade for Trae during the offseason who I am excited about long-term but will be useful as a tank commander one more season as he just was for the Bullets. A lot of rookie contract players will get minutes on this team.
Miami Ballers – Scoops also tore it down mid-season but has kept Lillard. I’m guessing Lillard and Lin will share the starting PG spot, which is extremely turnover happy. However, the Heat still have some good big men left to trade and good players on the wings. Excited to see Wiseman minutes though.
Anaheim Ballers – There’s a new era in Anaheim after trading Rose this offseason to Chicago. Markelle Fultz takes the lead role at PG again this season with another TC under his belt. Fultz will be too good and win some games for Bobby.
Semi-Tanking Ballers
Houston Ballers – Houston traded for Westbrook this offseason, signed Siakam and Murray, and kept Ryno. There is talent of this team but I think Nolan will take advantage of having his own pick in a few season.
Denver Ballers – Big offseason in Denver. The BBB stip has been activated. Denver comes into the season with a good young team with overachievers Thybulle, Dort, and Bagley already on the roster. I’m putting Denver here, but the BBB stip can make them a much better team potentially.
Washington Ballers – No win-now moves in Washington, but this team should get better through development. Maxey will be the starting PG right now, which sinks Washington’s stock, but there is loads of talent on this roster waiting to take the next step.
Cleveland Ballers – Cleveland is a tough team to judge. There is a ton of talent on this team with Russell, LaVine, McCollum, Noel, Beasley, etc. But they are a high turnover team that lacks rebounding but can score the heck out of the ball. Think this team is still a few pieces away but not far.
Philadelphia Ballers – Philly needed a PG and went out trading for CP3 and got off Monta’s contract. There is talent on this team, and should be tough competition with CP3 as the starting PG. Feel like there will be some moves mid-season to move into true tanking mode.
Doubtful Ballers
San Antonio Ballers – After a flurry of trades and stuck right in the middle of BBB madness, San Antonio is in a pre-tank mode. They have very young prospects, there own pick back, but still have good talent on the roster in Butler and Love. They will most definitely win a good amount of games.
Brooklyn Ballers – Everyone predicted AD, Blake, and Kemba will be the first stars to move this season, but it feels like Steven is not in a rush to trade them. If they stick around in Brooklyn due to a new stadium, Brooklyn will be competitive and can go in any direction once the season starts.
Toronto Ballers – It’s a new look squad in Toronto after trading Cousins and LeBron. Toronto is much younger now, but still frisky. I think they are a sleeper this year especially with Aaron Gordon and MPJ, but they are playing in the Central, which may produce 5 other playoff teams.
Utah Ballers – Defending champions had to make some salary cap casualty decisions this offseason, trading Starvin Marvin and Al Jeffy. But they bring back FVV and Deron and keep DJJ and Oden. They will still be good but just not sure how good. However, never doubt Ralph’s ability to pull together this squad into a playoff team.
Hopeful Ballers
Minnesota Ballers – There is a new PG in Minnesota. Galloway signed a large contract, but it was worth it considering they have Giannis and KAT ready to win now. Minnesota has all their picks and prospects and can make more moves during the season.
Portland Ballers – Portland sneaked into the playoffs last season, and I think are even better this season. A full season of Dinwiddie and a game manager for THJ and Lauri. I think they will lack scoring but will be a good defensive and rebounding team. Maybe RJ takes a step this season already showing B B inside outside.
Golden State Ballers – After a good offseason signing Oladipo to a great deal, Golden State will be back into the playoffs. Tatum will pop after another TC and fully camped. Precious was a good pick who should help rebounding off the bat.
Chicago Ballers – After an exciting Rose trade, Chicago is firmly in the playoffs. Luka is also receiving a supercamp and will be the full-time starting PG. Chicago has one of the best backcourts in the league, and has stocked up on older cheaper big men .
Charlotte Ballers – Murray, Semi, Isaac, and a full season of DeMarcus… this team is young and great. A few more moves need to be made, but I fully expect JBurns to make those moves like the Arenas, Primoz, Yao years.
Phoenix Ballers – Jokic has quickly become one of the best players in the league, but there is not much around him. Jokic, Bonga, and Chriss is still a very fun young core, but Tyler probably needs to make a couple more moves to become championship contenders. I bet Tyler has something up his sleeves.
Championship Pretending Ballers
Milwaukee Ballers – This team is still super young and made a big splash trading for Otto Porter last season. Shai will develop to be the full-time starting PG, and Mitchell is already a superstar. This team has a bright future and will made a 2nd round playoff appearance.
Seattle Ballers – Brunson and Lou Will will be a high powered offensive backcourt. Simmons will probably play supersub 1-5 with new addition Jaylen Brown to start at SF. This is a very exciting team and made the playoffs probably a year early. Watchout for Seattle!
Indiana Ballers – Really fun team who just got better after trading for Marvin and Al Jeffy. Partner those guys with an existing young core of Fox, Herro, Bridges, and Drummond. This team will be really good, but I think they are a year early from contenders. It will be a tough needle to thread with the young core a year away and the old guys with not many years left.
Memphis Ballers – It’s Kris Dunn time in Memphis. Another year of Ingram and KP, which is one of the most exciting cores in the league will be a tough out in the playoffs. Losing CJ Miles is tough, but Oubre Jr. deserves more playing time, and I think Nurkic and Capela will be better this season.
Championship Ballers
Sacramento Ballers – Buddy Ball in Sacramento again! Rubio and Livingston lock down the PG position, with good scorers and a ton of swiss army knife players. Sacramento will be back in contention and will probably made a few moves throughout the season.
Los Angeles Ballers – Kyrie has been eerily quiet but GX was able to bring back the same team that made the conference finals last season. As long as Kyrie stays sane, this team is in an amazing position to win a championship.
Boston Ballers – Another year of the same team is super exciting for Boston. Ja should get better along with Simmons and Prince. I think this is probably the most well-rounded team in the league and is easily up there for title favorites.
New York Ballers – Embiid, Turner, and now, Tyus! After years of good stop gap PGs, Nav finally found his core PG to fit right along side Embiid and Turner. I still think this team is missing a few pieces at wing and big man, but with this core, they can easily in a title as is.
Orlando Ballers – Bringing back the same team plus CJ Miles came home. The Splash bros will continue to ball and it might just be the year a title comes to Orlando. Booker continues to get better and Kawhi had the best season of his career and absolutely no one talked about.
Atlanta Ballers – Already maybe the best team in the league because of Durantula, Heimer upgraded nicely by bringing in Lebron for Westbrook. Super exciting and fun to pair Durant and LeBron. Hawks year!
Detroit Ballers – After tearing it down mid-season, Detroit went on a wild tank down the stretch. I think RB keeps it up this season with Haliburton playing big minutes and not much around turnover happy Brandon Jennings.
Dallas Ballers – There are few good players left on the Mavericks, who I am trying to trade away. I was able to trade for Trae during the offseason who I am excited about long-term but will be useful as a tank commander one more season as he just was for the Bullets. A lot of rookie contract players will get minutes on this team.
Miami Ballers – Scoops also tore it down mid-season but has kept Lillard. I’m guessing Lillard and Lin will share the starting PG spot, which is extremely turnover happy. However, the Heat still have some good big men left to trade and good players on the wings. Excited to see Wiseman minutes though.
Anaheim Ballers – There’s a new era in Anaheim after trading Rose this offseason to Chicago. Markelle Fultz takes the lead role at PG again this season with another TC under his belt. Fultz will be too good and win some games for Bobby.
Semi-Tanking Ballers
Houston Ballers – Houston traded for Westbrook this offseason, signed Siakam and Murray, and kept Ryno. There is talent of this team but I think Nolan will take advantage of having his own pick in a few season.
Denver Ballers – Big offseason in Denver. The BBB stip has been activated. Denver comes into the season with a good young team with overachievers Thybulle, Dort, and Bagley already on the roster. I’m putting Denver here, but the BBB stip can make them a much better team potentially.
Washington Ballers – No win-now moves in Washington, but this team should get better through development. Maxey will be the starting PG right now, which sinks Washington’s stock, but there is loads of talent on this roster waiting to take the next step.
Cleveland Ballers – Cleveland is a tough team to judge. There is a ton of talent on this team with Russell, LaVine, McCollum, Noel, Beasley, etc. But they are a high turnover team that lacks rebounding but can score the heck out of the ball. Think this team is still a few pieces away but not far.
Philadelphia Ballers – Philly needed a PG and went out trading for CP3 and got off Monta’s contract. There is talent on this team, and should be tough competition with CP3 as the starting PG. Feel like there will be some moves mid-season to move into true tanking mode.
Doubtful Ballers
San Antonio Ballers – After a flurry of trades and stuck right in the middle of BBB madness, San Antonio is in a pre-tank mode. They have very young prospects, there own pick back, but still have good talent on the roster in Butler and Love. They will most definitely win a good amount of games.
Brooklyn Ballers – Everyone predicted AD, Blake, and Kemba will be the first stars to move this season, but it feels like Steven is not in a rush to trade them. If they stick around in Brooklyn due to a new stadium, Brooklyn will be competitive and can go in any direction once the season starts.
Toronto Ballers – It’s a new look squad in Toronto after trading Cousins and LeBron. Toronto is much younger now, but still frisky. I think they are a sleeper this year especially with Aaron Gordon and MPJ, but they are playing in the Central, which may produce 5 other playoff teams.
Utah Ballers – Defending champions had to make some salary cap casualty decisions this offseason, trading Starvin Marvin and Al Jeffy. But they bring back FVV and Deron and keep DJJ and Oden. They will still be good but just not sure how good. However, never doubt Ralph’s ability to pull together this squad into a playoff team.
Hopeful Ballers
Minnesota Ballers – There is a new PG in Minnesota. Galloway signed a large contract, but it was worth it considering they have Giannis and KAT ready to win now. Minnesota has all their picks and prospects and can make more moves during the season.
Portland Ballers – Portland sneaked into the playoffs last season, and I think are even better this season. A full season of Dinwiddie and a game manager for THJ and Lauri. I think they will lack scoring but will be a good defensive and rebounding team. Maybe RJ takes a step this season already showing B B inside outside.
Golden State Ballers – After a good offseason signing Oladipo to a great deal, Golden State will be back into the playoffs. Tatum will pop after another TC and fully camped. Precious was a good pick who should help rebounding off the bat.
Chicago Ballers – After an exciting Rose trade, Chicago is firmly in the playoffs. Luka is also receiving a supercamp and will be the full-time starting PG. Chicago has one of the best backcourts in the league, and has stocked up on older cheaper big men .
Charlotte Ballers – Murray, Semi, Isaac, and a full season of DeMarcus… this team is young and great. A few more moves need to be made, but I fully expect JBurns to make those moves like the Arenas, Primoz, Yao years.
Phoenix Ballers – Jokic has quickly become one of the best players in the league, but there is not much around him. Jokic, Bonga, and Chriss is still a very fun young core, but Tyler probably needs to make a couple more moves to become championship contenders. I bet Tyler has something up his sleeves.
Championship Pretending Ballers
Milwaukee Ballers – This team is still super young and made a big splash trading for Otto Porter last season. Shai will develop to be the full-time starting PG, and Mitchell is already a superstar. This team has a bright future and will made a 2nd round playoff appearance.
Seattle Ballers – Brunson and Lou Will will be a high powered offensive backcourt. Simmons will probably play supersub 1-5 with new addition Jaylen Brown to start at SF. This is a very exciting team and made the playoffs probably a year early. Watchout for Seattle!
Indiana Ballers – Really fun team who just got better after trading for Marvin and Al Jeffy. Partner those guys with an existing young core of Fox, Herro, Bridges, and Drummond. This team will be really good, but I think they are a year early from contenders. It will be a tough needle to thread with the young core a year away and the old guys with not many years left.
Memphis Ballers – It’s Kris Dunn time in Memphis. Another year of Ingram and KP, which is one of the most exciting cores in the league will be a tough out in the playoffs. Losing CJ Miles is tough, but Oubre Jr. deserves more playing time, and I think Nurkic and Capela will be better this season.
Championship Ballers
Sacramento Ballers – Buddy Ball in Sacramento again! Rubio and Livingston lock down the PG position, with good scorers and a ton of swiss army knife players. Sacramento will be back in contention and will probably made a few moves throughout the season.
Los Angeles Ballers – Kyrie has been eerily quiet but GX was able to bring back the same team that made the conference finals last season. As long as Kyrie stays sane, this team is in an amazing position to win a championship.
Boston Ballers – Another year of the same team is super exciting for Boston. Ja should get better along with Simmons and Prince. I think this is probably the most well-rounded team in the league and is easily up there for title favorites.
New York Ballers – Embiid, Turner, and now, Tyus! After years of good stop gap PGs, Nav finally found his core PG to fit right along side Embiid and Turner. I still think this team is missing a few pieces at wing and big man, but with this core, they can easily in a title as is.
Orlando Ballers – Bringing back the same team plus CJ Miles came home. The Splash bros will continue to ball and it might just be the year a title comes to Orlando. Booker continues to get better and Kawhi had the best season of his career and absolutely no one talked about.
Atlanta Ballers – Already maybe the best team in the league because of Durantula, Heimer upgraded nicely by bringing in Lebron for Westbrook. Super exciting and fun to pair Durant and LeBron. Hawks year!
