I at all times like to start out my NBA previews on the base and paintings my means up. And in the case of bottoming out, no one does it higher than game of chance groups within the Jap Convention. Utmost season, 4 East squads misplaced a minimum of 57 video games, and total, the convention had seven of the league’s 11 worst data.
The Detroit Pistons’ 28-game dropping streak took zenith honors, however Charlotte in reality had the league’s worst scoring margin; the Hornets, Washington Wizards and Pistons blended to win fewer video games than 5 NBA groups.
So, yeah, it used to be sinister — and I’m now not positive it is going to get a lot better in 2024-25. With a loaded draft led through Duke ahead Cooper Flagg, a number of groups have enough motivation to tank for a tall lottery pick out. A pair spent their offseason leaning into that technique, significantly the Brooklyn Nets, hour the Chicago Bulls pivoted much less openly in the similar route. (Connoisseurs of performance-art-level tanking efforts, circle your calendars for April 11: Washington and Chicago face off within the second-to-last tournament of the season.)
Right here’s a fascinating aspect dish: With such a lot of laggards and 10 groups required to go to the postseason, it’s imaginable we’ll see a traditionally sinister file qualify for the Play games-In. Although now not, the possible is unquestionably there for 5 55-loss groups on this convention, even if they incessantly play games one some other.
With that mentioned, let’s pluck a more in-depth take a look at my base seven groups within the East — their projected data, what they’re doing and the place they may well be headed. (We’ll talk about the extra of the league next this presen.)
15. Washington Wizards (14-68)
I truly couldn’t consider my visions when my first run via projections spat out its effects. Washington went 15-67 a yr in the past, and I kind of figured the Wizards would try to fortify a lot upon that this season, however going in the course of the math on my projections used to be jarring. This roster is sinister.
The Wizards traded their excellent participant from a yr in the past in line with my BORD$ components (Deni Avdjia, in a defensible change for 2 firsts and two seconds) and misplaced creation level cover Tyus Jones to unfastened company. The most efficient avid gamers at the crew are Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole, I supposition, and there’s a significance anticipation Kuzma is long gone through February. And Malcolm Brogdon. And Corey Kispert. And possibly newly signed unfastened agent Jonas Valančiūnas, too.
A minimum of we all know Poole received’t be going anyplace, now not with the $96 million he’s owed over the then 3 years. (The word may escalate even larger, however his incentives for attaining the playoffs or making All-Protection appear cover for the foreseeable pace.) Poole gets a anticipation to rehab his price through taking part in at the ball this season, expectantly to not the detriment of the alternative 4 nation hoping to the touch it.
Clearly, that is all a part of a down-to-the-studs rebuild, a welcome shift in mentality nearest years of chasing any bright object that may web the Wizards the 8th seed and a right away self-congratulatory parade. Then again, Washington’s screw ups to proceed on from Bradley Beal till it used to be too past due have ended in a extra painful reset. This yr may be the important nadir earlier than Washington can get started the lengthy trudge again up the standings.
The Wizards drafted 3 first-round selections this yr, however all 3 are youngsters — and slightly uncooked ones. Realistically, they’ll pluck their lumps hour they determine issues out. Heart Alex Sarr, decided on with the second one pick out, is a possible defensive monster because of his fast ft, speedy palms and 7-foot body, hour offensively he displays plethora dexterity and ballhandling at the perimeter to grant some hope that there’s a unicorn in there someplace.
That mentioned, the 2024 model of Sarr goes to be a sunlit minus on offense, providing minute ultimatum within the publish but additionally now not a ways alongside plethora as a shooter to scare someone. The low-key swing ability this is his palms — he struggled to snare contested rebounds and catch in visitors final yr. He may additionally play games broadly energy ahead then to Valančiūnas hour the Wizards look forward to his physique to fill out.
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The alternative children are a indistinguishable mixture of commitment and finger-crossing. Past due-lottery pick out Bub Carrington — obtained due to the Avdija business — must paintings on his physique and protection, however he had a cast summer time league and may well be the nearest factor this crew has to a respectable 6th guy. Past due first-rounder Kyshawn George, in the meantime, is a 3-and-D hopeful who most likely has a quantity of Capital Town Move-Move in his fast pace. Wearing over from a yr in the past, Bilal Coulibaly teased with doable from time to time however must be a extra constant shooter and decision-maker. The Avdija business most likely offers him a anticipation to start out.
Looking at the novices be told hour the Wizards get pummeled each night time is the most efficient factor that may be mentioned for the Wizards-viewing enjoy this yr. Poole vying with Cam Thomas for the league govern in garden objective makes an attempt according to modest will trade in a definite roughly leisure, and Valančiūnas shot faux ingesting video games will probably be as merry as ever. Another way, this yr is set participant building, asset lot and scraping their solution to a win overall that helps to keep them out of historical past books.
14. Brooklyn Nets (21-61)
Within the wake in their publish Kevin Durant–Kyrie Irving implosion, the Nets are moving to be truly sinister this season. However they even have a route, person who wasn’t imaginable earlier than, nearest regaining get right of entry to to their very own draft selections by means of the Mikal Bridges business. That trade in made tanking believable — in reality, necessary — because the Nets can now freely pursue one of the vital league’s worst 3 data to maximise their lottery odds. In response to the roster, they have got this section below regulate.
The Nets have simply plethora veteran ability available to lose respectably and steer clear of being traditionally vile, however few of them will stay within the borough past the business time limit. Level cover Dennis Schröder and forwards Bojan Bogdanović and Dorian Finney-Smith are most likely spending the primary part of the season auditioning for his or her then employers; Cam Johnson is 28 and signed for 2 years past this one, however he may imagine a monthly rent as neatly. And hiya, Ben Simmons is right here for one final September of back-in-the-gym Instagrams. He’s both a $40-million expiring word to position into a possible business or a February buyout.
Re-signed heart Nic Claxton is most likely the single long-term keeper at the roster, even though alternative younger avid gamers will audition to be a part of the pace. Thomas, in the meantime, is more likely to govern the crew (if now not the league) in garden objective makes an attempt however will wish to generate higher-quality appears to be like — and now and again even let a teammate blast — if he needs to be a part of the long-term plan.
Deeper i’m sick, stock an visible on second-year professional Noah Clowney, who in summer time league seemed like he might pay long-term dividends nearest he used to be drafted as a uncooked teen in 2023. Reclamation initiatives akin to Ziaire Williams and Killian Hayes additionally gets their possibilities, as will fringe-rotation unearths Trendon Watford and Jalen Wilson.
In the event you’re taking a look two years forward and past, the Nets will jettison just about all this roster flotsam apart from Claxton, Clowney and in all probability Johnson. They have got 3 past due first-round selections in 2025 along with their very own, 4 remaining firsts in pace seasons and max cap area approaching sequence then summer time. The Nets are also sitting on a $23-million business exception from the Bridges trade in, even though it’s more likely to move brandnew till nearest the season for the reason that they’re already pushing the tax sequence. (Incentives for Johnson may theoretically put them over within the a lack of alternative strikes.)
All of this may build for an unpleasant 2024-25, however Brooklyn basketball must get dramatically higher from there.
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It’s desperately wanted drugs, however that received’t build it more uncomplicated to swallow. The Hornets are performed chasing 39 wins as cost effectively as imaginable and entirely embarking on a latest, post-Michael Jordan hour. Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin purchased the crew from Jordan in 2023 however held off on changing the Pals of Mike within the entrance place of business and converting coaches till this day summer time. Jeff Peterson — a veteran of a hit rebuilds in Atlanta and Brooklyn — now has the conch within the entrance place of business, hour Charles Lee replaces Steve Clifford at the sideline.
Now all they have got to do is exchange the avid gamers. I child, however this isn’t a superb status. Charlotte received 21 video games a yr in the past, or even that used to be slightly of a surprise: The Hornets had been twenty eighth in offense, twenty ninth in protection and final in web margin. Even within the Charmin-soft reduce reaches of the East, making the Play games-In with this roster turns out not going.
The Insects have one All-Megastar ability in LaMelo Ball, who has gave the impression in simply 58 video games over the day two seasons due to a layout of ankle sprains and has regularly gave the impression detached (particularly on protection) when he’s at the courtyard. Past him, there are some cast avid gamers however nil big name energy, except in all probability promising ahead Brandon Miller (13.0 PER as a rookie) erupts in his moment season.
Charlotte does appear to know its status, a minimum of, which is greater than will also be mentioned of a few earlier iterations of this franchise. This offseason, the Hornets worn their cap room now not on Gordon Hayward-esque splurges, however to absorb wage and skill that alternative groups unloaded: two seconds from the Denver Nuggets to pluck Reggie Jackson, a moment from the San Antonio Spurs to take in the unacceptable word contract of ancient good friend Devonte’ Graham and 3 extra to absorb the important outgoing avid gamers from Fresh York to finish the Karl-Anthony Cities business.
Conversely, the one acquisition of word used to be a cheap two seconds going outbound to deliver in 23-year-old, signed-through-2027 wing Josh Inexperienced. Bringing again Miles Bridges most likely leaves many conserving their noses because of his off-court historical past, but it surely leaves Charlotte with a full-strength creation 5 that received’t be ashamed. Child steps.
The ones strikes aren’t moving to shake the principles of the East, however they’re step one in a rebuild, one that still will have to come with upping the off-court funding from what’s been one the league’s maximum frugal franchises.
The largest variable for the approaching yr is whether or not fly-swatting heart Mark Williams can come again from a 2023-24 marketing campaign misplaced to again surgical procedure. Charlotte handed on a top-notch rim-protection anticipation in Donovan Clingan on draft night time to pluck a extra speculative plunge on French ahead Tidjane Salaun, and one wonders how a lot Williams factored into that. (For what it’s importance: I had Salaun sixteenth on my board, however I’ve additionally been advised 3 alternative groups had been in a position to pluck him within the zenith 10 if Charlotte didn’t.)
Decrease at the meals chain, Charlotte will most likely pluck groups’ temperatures on cast rotation avid gamers akin to Lend Williams and Cody Martin to decide their business marketplace. Additionally, stock an visible on guards Tre Mann and Vasilije Micić looking to determine their careers nearest failing to pluck gliding in Oklahoma Town. Mann, particularly, may in reality be one thing nearest taking part in 28 cast video games in Charlotte nearest the business; he’s a limited unfastened agent nearest the season. Micić is 30 and might be business bait if he steps ahead in his moment season in this aspect of the sea.
Having a look on the chessboard, Charlotte is good-looking asset-dry for a crew on this place, proudly owning most effective two safe firsts in 2027 from Miami and Dallas along with its personal. (The Hornets technically owe their 2025 first to San Antonio, but it surely’s top-14 safe and can revert to second-rounders in 2026 and 2027 if, as anticipated, Charlotte misses the playoffs.)
The cap status is somewhat blank, however significant room appears to be like not going the then two summers except they business Ball. Lee and Peterson will get started the lengthy struggle of striking their imprint in this crew, however even with favorable lottery success, effects may pluck a hour.
12. Chicago Bulls (27-55)
The Bulls in any case are doing what they must have after they modified control 4 years in the past: launching a rebuild and lining up with a considerably more youthful roster for 2024-25.
The sinister information is they’ll most likely be worse this yr and face a sluggish slog again uphill, particularly with few business belongings coming again within the rebuild and a pace first nonetheless owed to San Antonio from the preliminary DeMar DeRozan trade in. Nevertheless, this used to be the one proceed left at the chessboard nearest the Bulls’ 2021 asset-spending spree yielded 3 years of averageness and a roster that used to be most effective getting old and costlier.
Chicago’s overarching plan this summer time used to be the right kind technique, however the execution nonetheless felt bumpy. Now not extracting a draft choose from Oklahoma Town within the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey business appeared like a ignored alternative, because the Thunder have one million pace selections and weren’t running from a place of superb leverage. The Bulls additionally dropped 5 years and $90 million on The Concept of Patrick Williams, one thing that felt extra like a sunk price fallacy on a participant decided on fourth within the 2020 draft than a decent valuation of the place he’s at this time as a basketball participant.
That cash ended up mattering fairly slightly next within the offseason. Amongst many what-ifs in Chicago is if the Bulls hadn’t resigned Williams or if their possession were keen to pay into the tax, they may have taken in Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick out change from the Kings within the DeRozan business. In lieu, that asset was at San Antonio. The Bulls ended up with Chris Duarte, two second-round selections and money. Yay?
The excellent news, once more, is that there’s a route, and there’s some actual ability underlying it. Giddey used to be non-essesntial taking part in off the ball in Oklahoma Town, however he’s a succesful level ahead with a easy floater tournament and must get to show off that ability all set way more regularly with the Bulls.
First-round pick out Matas Buzelis is usually a high-impact two-way ability if he can up his capturing percentages and upload slightly of lower-body energy, and combo cover Coby White has quietly turn out to be an excessively efficient offensive participant. Two alternative contemporary selections, athletic extra forwards Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips, hardly ever noticed sunlight final season, however each and every must get extra alternative.
Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević are nonetheless Bulls, for now, and their assurances might stock them right here a hour longer. LaVine, a minimum of, is usually a primary contributor for then again lengthy he’s round; he’s simply now not fairly importance what he’s paid. The 3 years and $138 million extra on his trade in had been broadly reported to be a barrier to his leaving courting again to the center of final season.
In the meantime, the baffling three-year, $60 million extension passed to Vučević within the 2023 offseason already appears to be like indefensible. The Bulls subsidized him up through signing fable bean Jalen Smith for 3 years and $27 million; a minimum of he’s younger, however this received’t recovery the defensive hollow within the center. In the event you’re in search of some other true 5 in this roster, two-way Adama Sanogo is all the record.
After all, Lonzo Ball coming again could be a large assistance, however there’s a large remaining between surviving offseason pickup video games and being a fertile participant in opposition to NBA starters. It’s a great tale if he returns and contributes, however we’ll mood our optimism till we see him impacting video games that subject.
The badness of the East will most likely stock the Bulls within the Play games-In race for a lot of the yr, however don’t get too excited: The Bulls owe a top-10 safe pick out to San Antonio from the DeRozan business. That makes it strongly of their pursuits to land incorrect higher than the league’s sixth-worst file and contract they stock the pick out without reference to how game of chance seems. In a similar tale, I’m choosing them to complete with the NBA’s sixth-worst file.
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11. Detroit Pistons (28-54)
The excellent news is this season must be much less embarrassing than final yr, or the yr earlier than that, or the yr earlier than that…
The Pistons haven’t received greater than 23 video games in a season since earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition they haven’t received a playoff tournament since 2008, with only one profitable season in that span.
Within the 5th yr of its rebuild from the Andre Drummond “era,” Detroit now not most effective did not win 30 video games for the 9th date since 2008, but additionally didn’t even get midway there, surroundings an NBA file with 28 consecutive losses and hitting midseason at 4-37. Just a heroic 10-29 price to the end sequence stored it from the worst file in NBA historical past.
The Pistons wiped clean space nearest the season, nearest the one-year sideline reign of Monty Williams proved calamitous and the 4 years of the Troy Weaver management noticed nil walk in amassing both ability or draft capital. Former Fresh Orleans and Brooklyn exec Trajan Langdon took over the entrance place of business, hour no-nonsense J.B. Bickerstaff is the latest head educator.
It is going to pluck greater than an organizational facelift, then again, to get this crew at the proper trail. Years of unpriviledged choices have left Detroit with minute star-caliber ability regardless of annual lottery selections. The nearest factor is cover Cade Cunningham, a talented however now not overly athletic participant who bore a large offensive load with near-zero flooring spacing a yr in the past and garden out a 54.6 true capturing share on 30 % utilization.
Extra capturing must build his presen more uncomplicated, however he isn’t Luka Dončić, and the Pistons wish to prohibit the usage of him like he’s. He’s their excellent participant, as a result of anyone must be, however the offseason resolution to offer him a max extension used to be extra in line with hope than effects.
When it comes to capturing, Detroit added Simone Fontecchio at final yr’s business time limit and Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley within the offseason. The ones are respectable, significant upgrades. It might additionally assistance enormously if 2022 lottery pick out Jaden Ivey can flip the nook each as a shooter and a playmaker, as he represents the most efficient risk of unburdening a few of Cunningham’s large playmaking load.
The frontcourt must be in higher state with Harris taking part in the 4; hour his touch used to be almost definitely an overpay (two years, $52 million), he solidifies the lineup at its weakest spot and will probably be tradable cash a yr from now. He additionally must push Isaiah Stewart again to his herbal heart spot nearest final season’s failed energy ahead experiment. Red meat Stew, the promising Jalen Duren and waiver pickup Paul Reed build for an efficient trio, even though Stewart can be business bait.
In the long run, the most efficient anticipation for the Pistons to build authentic walk lies within the building in their two most up-to-date lottery selections. Ahead Ausar Thompson is a plus athlete who performs dried, however his capturing is, let’s assume, slightly subpar: Utmost season he accomplished the near-impossible feat of getting extra airballs from 3 (23) than makes (18).
Detroit’s 2024 lottery pick out, Ron Holland, is an explosive wing athlete. He used to be my top-ranked anticipation earlier than the draft. Then again, he’ll want paintings on his decision-making and capturing; he’s now not anyplace close to Thompson’s point of masonry, however what number of guys like this will the Pistons play games at one date?
On that word, Detroit’s greatest acquisition this summer time will not be a participant. Taking pictures educator Fred Vinson — who authored a couple of miracles in Fresh Orleans — came visiting with Langdon from the Pelicans and could have his palms complete making an attempt medications on Thompson, Holland, Ivey and the extra of the crowd.
The Raptors have in lieu temporarily long gone from one of the vital admired organizations within the league to Group Shrug Emoji. Can they get their mojo again?
They launched into rebuilding a yr too past due and ended up changing Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby right into a seize bag of quite helpful avid gamers and a few past due first-round selections, with one nonetheless to come back in 2026 from Indiana. Essentially the most reliable pick out transacted used to be the single they despatched out to obtain Jakob Poeltl from San Antonio. Yeah, now not superb.
Toronto handed on a possibility to function as a cap room crew and rather picked up a $23 million choice on Bruce Brown and prolonged a 33-year-old Kelly Olynyk for midlevel exception cash. One can see a pathway the place that may pay dividends, because the Raptors have plethora expiring cash and selections for a blockbuster business if a large title turns into to be had. The Raptors additionally most likely overreached on a $162.5 million extension for Immanuel Quickley in limited unfastened company; he’s a reliable participant, but it surely wasn’t sunlit in opposition to whom they had been bidding.
That mentioned, Toronto must be high-quality in first quarters, as a result of 80 % of the creation lineup is rock cast. Scottie Barnes made the All-Megastar crew in his 3rd season and is now the face of the franchise, Quickley is a cast two-way participant whose insufficiency of natural level cover ability is offset through Barnes’ large on-ball utilization, and RJ Barrett used to be incredible in the second one part of final season and once more for Canada within the Olympics, even though he’s starting the yr injured. (Year we’re right here: The “BBQ” nickname for the Raptors’ three-best avid gamers may well be the most efficient factor they have got going.)
Up entrance, Poeltl used to be an overpay asset-wise and a threat to blameless bystanders from the free-throw sequence, however he’s a cast defensive heart with some sneaky usefulness from the elbows on offense.
Next that, it will get iffy speedy. Brown gave the impression a imaginable 5th starter on paper till he had arthroscopic knee surgical procedure earlier than the season began; he’ll be looking to regain the impression he had in Denver nearest a coarse 2023-24 for the Pacers and Raptors.
Gradey Dick is a theoretical motion shooter who struggled in his rookie season however may have to start out for the reason that alternative choices aren’t even theoretically just right. First-round pick out JaKobe Walter is a imaginable 3-and-D man however out with a shoulder trauma and almost definitely a minimum of a yr clear of serving to.
Up entrance, Olynyk used to be unplayable within the Olympics. Chris Boucher’s trade in is in any case expiring, however he’s nonetheless round and most likely will wish to play games because the fourth large. Deeper at the bench, if Walter isn’t within the rotation, that almost definitely manner both lukewarm meh from Ochai Agbaji and/or cameos from all-glove, no-bat ball-pressure specialist Davion Mitchell. I must word that I’m a card-carrying fan of second-round pick out Jonathan Mogbo, however his restricted capturing makes him a greater have compatibility on rosters with extra spacing than this one.
The place does all this loose us? With a roster that’s fascinating however now not in particular just right. The Raptors received’t be openly vile in a yr when it’s almost definitely advisable to be vile, and but they face an uphill fight to get into the playoffs. Toronto has a just right anticipation of failing upward into the Play games-In Event, certainly including a sprinkle of pleasure to the Canadian spring throughout their most likely one-game postseason. One wonders if that still would be the bar for second-year educator Darko Rajaković, a popular determine within the league however one whose first season on the helm used to be a bumpy trip.
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It’s now not truly a Play games-In Event except the Hawks are concerned.
In a league the place everyone seems to be both contending or tanking, the Hawks are taking a look at a fourth instantly season of presen within the center magnificence. In an East with a sunlit zenith 8 and a depressing base six, projecting Atlanta to land 9th seems like one of the vital most secure bets at the board.
The Hawks had a fertile offseason even though, in any case executing the past due Dejounte Murray business to split up a pairing with Trae Younger that wasn’t running. Within the procedure, they shored up a woeful protection and restocked a barren draft vault. Atlanta nonetheless received’t have its personal pick out within the 2025 draft, so nix the ones Sag for Flagg eventualities, however the Hawks could have the Lakers’ selection and most likely Sacramento’s (top-12 safe) too, plus an remaining 2027 first.
The Hawks additionally nabbed an honest-to-goodness wing defender in Dyson Daniels in that business; hour his capturing comes and is going, this stopper function is one the Hawks have unsuccessfully tried to fill for years now. The 21-year-old Daniels may pluck reps at extra level cover if second-year professional Kobe Bufkin proves unready. Both means, the fellow completing video games at capturing cover may be Bogdan Bogdanović, who used to be robbed of the 6th guy award a yr in the past and figures to stay elite on this function for so long as his knees can store up.
The excellent news is the Hawks received the draft lottery. The sinister information is that they received it in 2024, a yr with out a sunlit zenith pick out. In many ways, Atlanta perceived to go for have compatibility over ceiling through deciding on French ahead Zaccharie Risacher. (How a lot must we fear that none of the scouts interviewed for this idea the zenith pick out within the draft will be the excellent participant?) Then again, Risacher is a towering, cellular ahead who can shield i’m sick at the positional spectrum and has a just right basketball IQ; if his capturing holds up, he may well be the participant Atlanta idea it used to be getting when it drafted (and upcoming prolonged) De’Andre Hunter.
Atlanta’s alternative large offseason resolution is extending the most efficient participant no one talks about, ahead Jalen Johnson. He blow up as a starter in his 3rd season with 16.0 issues and eight.7 rebounds, and at future 22, he must have abundant alternative to extend his tournament with Murray long gone. Bookending him with Risacher may build for a good-looking enforcing ahead combo two or 3 years i’m sick the street.
That hints at some other building in Atlanta — this crew has turn out to be a lot more youthful. Daniels and Johnson are 22, Bufkin is 21, Risacher is nineteen and Onyeka Okongwu is 23. They all can cover, which is a very powerful when construction round Younger (himself now not precisely a grizzled vet at 26). That’s the most efficient hope for solving final yr’s Twenty seventh-ranked protection; the Hawks have by no means completed higher than twenty first in defensive potency within the Younger hour.
A succession factor at heart additionally looms, the place Clint Capela is 30 and at the final yr of his trade in, and Okongwu hasn’t been just right plethora to to enter as a full-time starter. Then again, the Hawks are in any case ready the place they may be able to worth maximum or the entire $23 million business exception from the Murray business on a substitute then summer time with out going into the tax, even nearest they pay Johnson. Shifting Capela on the business time limit is also an choice, particularly in the event that they’re mired within the center magnificence as anticipated.
General, the Hawks may now not win any further video games than they did a yr in the past, however the arrow now issues in a far more fit route. They’re out of luxurious tax hell, were given 85 cents at the greenback again at the Murray business and feature the makings of a tender core to hold them ahead. Authentic walk within the standings, then again, turns out much more likely a yr from now.
(Govern footage of LaMelo Ball and Kyle Kuzma: Patrick Smith, Jared C. Tilton / Getty Photographs)