-Hello everyone, it's been awhile and it's time we did some rankings! I wanted to not only evaluate all our championship hopes but also address the futures of our franchises and the dynasty perspective of our league. So this is not only a postseason ranking, but also an offseason ranking. I evaluated all our teams based on the three resources in our game: production, youth, and cap flexibility.
-After collecting data on all our teams, I organized everyone into three general tiers with their own general objectives: tankers (teams encouraged to focus on youth and cap), grinders (teams encouraged to focus on value in its most optimal forms), and contenders (teams encouraged to focus on production). From there, I attempted to organize each tier in order of who has the most advantageous position to achieve their goals. Enjoy!
Tankers
Teams that are collecting value outside of production. The primary focus of these ranks is on flexibility and prospects.
2018 Record: 2-14
2018 Weekly Production: 673
Projected Finish: 12th
Roster Age: 27.3
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 4
Roster Salary: $359
Extended Salary: $54
Expiring Contracts: 1
Eligible Keepers: 6
-With another rough year in the books, Nick's focus will most definitely be on the future. Conveniently, the best asset on this team is probably Lonzo Ball and his future is still vast. Unfortunately, the rest of this roster is pretty old (the oldest of all lottery teams) and while there is certainly value that can be utilized here, much of this squad is better thought of as trade pieces rather than foundation.
-With sacko-level numbers and below-average roster cohesion, Nick's unit still needs a lot of work. And with mediocre tools to do so, I have doubts about that work getting done with much haste.
#10 - MAMA said Knock u out (Rich Mamaradlo)
2018 Record: 4-12
2018 Weekly Production: 714
Projected Finish: 9th
Roster Age: 26.4
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 4
Roster Salary: $329
Extended Salary: $53
Expiring Contracts: 3
Eligible Keepers: 5
-While this roster may be in better shape than Nick's, Rich's squad still needs some upgrades and probably have missed opportunities to get that done. A tough position, average assets and a questionable precedent lands this squad here.
2018 Record: 6-10
2018 Weekly Production: 762
Projected Finish: 11th
Roster Age: 24.9
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 5
Roster Salary: $248
Extended Salary: $50
Expiring Contracts: 1
Eligible Keepers: 7
-What sets Nate's team apart from others in the lottery is the lower age and cost of his roster as well as his above-average amount of draft picks. This team's production was poor but at least a team built around Aaron Gordon and Kristaps Porzingis has some time. Schroder has been elite and guys like Murray and the rookies are interesting. Unloading Gasol got disappointing returns but I still believe in the move because it advanced the team's cause.
-In the end, I feel like Nate is in a better position to rebuild this offseason due to his higher quality assets.
2018 Record: 4-12
2018 Weekly Production: 839
Projected Finish: 10th
Roster Age: 25.7
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 8
Roster Salary: $351
Extended Salary: $0
Expiring Contracts: 0
Eligible Keepers: 7
-I like Brett's position out of all the lottery teams for a few reasons. Not only did this team produce the most (despite Hayward on the IR all season) but Brett currently has the most tools to get better. While his team is not quite as young as Nate Dogg's, Brett has zero extended contracts or expiring contracts to worry about this offseason. Maybe Collins and Fox have a ways to go before they are Murray/Tatum or Gordon/Zingis but Brett also has the most draft picks out of anyone on this list.
-Brett already has a developing young core, a big collection of draft picks and ultimate cap flexibility for what should be an awesome RFA/Auction Draft combo. This is definitely the tanking team I'd most like to be.
Grinders
Teams collecting bargain values in all forms. The primary focus of these ranks is on asset collections and flexibility.
2018 Record: 7-9
2018 Weekly Production: 771
Projected Finish: 7th
Roster Age: 28.4
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 2
Roster Salary: $374
Extended Salary: $124
Expiring Contracts: 3
Eligible Keepers: 5
-Matt's team in a tough position. The oldest roster in the league is also the only non-contender with over $100 already committed to next year. Matt will also have less picks than most to work with over these next couple seasons. Add in the below-average production numbers on the year and we have a team that is probably too expensive for its own good.
-With the odds of an immediate championship unlikely, I would like to see a team in Matt's position be younger, cheaper, or more flexible. These concerns land his franchise here.
2018 Record: 11-5
2018 Weekly Production: 818
Projected Finish: 8th
Roster Age: 27.1
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 3
Roster Salary: $384
Extended Salary: $29
Expiring Contracts: 2
Eligible Keepers: 4
-While unfortunately timed injuries will probably the undoing of Alex's crew, there are a few similarities between his team and Matt's that give me pause. The roster age and overall salary is pretty high while the amount of exciting keepers feels low. Fortunately, Alex's extended contracts are lower than most so he still has a good amount of options this upcoming offseason.
-Overall, Alex took some calculated risks of pushing aggressively and it's probably not going to pay off. It was a respectable campaign and was done in a way that didn't mortgage the future, landing the team here.
2018 Record: 8-8
2018 Weekly Production: 868
Projected Finish: 5th
Roster Age: 25.3
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 2
Roster Salary: $404
Extended Salary: $54
Expiring Contracts: 3
Eligible Keepers: 5
-Tyler's squad is one of the most interesting teams in the league and would probably be a title contender if not for a slew of unfortunate injuries. This team ranks above other expensive one like Matt's and Alex's because it is young. Tyler will almost certainly have to choose between Ben Simmons and Karl Anthony-Towns this offseason if Simmons pulls a large enough bid in RFA but that is still a powerful decision to be making, albeit difficult. While some of the key contracts may have caveats, this is still one of the coolest collections of names we have.
-One of the youngest teams in the league, within striking distance of the title. While it may be difficult to keep this dream team together, it has been constructed in a way where the power is still in Tyler's hands, placing him here in the ranks.
2018 Record: 12-4
2018 Weekly Production: 866
Projected Finish: 4th
Roster Age: 27.3
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 4
Roster Salary: $243
Extended Salary: $0
Expiring Contracts: 1
Eligible Keepers: 6
-There is a lot to like about Danny's group going into the postseason and offseason. He is one of the few owners who is playing for playoff wins while also being set to win in free agency. Danny might not be a true contender but his team is the cheapest one on this list, he has zero money committed to next year and only one expiring contract to worry about. All of this gives Danny a lot of room to improve his already emerging squad.
-This campaign, Danny has managed to construct a team that is productive, cheap and flexible. These qualities put him at the top of his tier.
Contenders
Teams collecting immediate production. The primary focus of these ranks is on immediate championship hopes.
2018 Record: 10-6
2018 Weekly Production: 914
Projected Finish: 3rd
Roster Age: 26.2
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 1
Roster Salary: $430
Extended Salary: $313
Expiring Contracts: 1
Eligible Keepers: 5
-It has been a roller coaster season for Micheal's organization. Trades have been made, free agents have been signed and injuries have struck. Shortly after Michael's daring trade for Lowry, news of Cousins' season-ending injury dealt a deadly blow to fantasy owners around the world. Now, Michael is a championship underdog with over $300 committed to next year and one draft pick for the next two years. Unless Michael can find a way to unload one of his extended contracts, he must drop one of them and eat half the cost in the auction; a series of events that would be troublesome for his cause and great for all owners with cap space.
-With questionable championship odds and a jeopardized future, Michael might be in his toughest spot since 2013.
2018 Record: 9-7
2018 Weekly Production: 889
Projected Finish: 2nd
Roster Age: 27.5
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 3
Roster Salary: $374
Extended Salary: $151
Expiring Contracts: 2
Eligible Keepers: 6
-There are a few reasons I have Freddy ranked all the way up here. His team has been on a tear since his trades for DeRozan, McCollum and Gasol, the playoff bracket favors his journey to the finals, and he will mostly likely run the core of this squad back again next season. While his fellow contenders will be seeing offseasons of change, Freddy will be dealing with less difficult decisions. I believe Freddy has a genuine shot to be this year's champion and, if he plays his cards right, that will extend into next year as well.
-Freddy started the season with a strong team and made some aggressive plays without relinquishing much flexibility. Overall, it has been a great campaign for Freddy and there is still opportunity for it to get better.
2018 Record: 13-3
2018 Weekly Production: 1020
Projected Finish: 1st
Roster Age: 26.1
2018-2019 Draft Picks: 3
Roster Salary: $342
Extended Salary: $27
Expiring Contracts: 5
Eligible Keepers: 5
-Freddy and Michael are definitely in the mix but most of the sensible money will be on Chris this postseason. His team has produced in a class of their own and, even though he missed his trade deadline opportunities, it is likely that Chris will remain the lead dog throughout the playoffs. Beyond that, Chris' offseason will be an interesting one as four of his top six players expire into free agency (part of why the upcoming auction will be so exciting). He will certainly be in play to sign some names again but it is unlikely that he'll be able to reconstruct anything like what he's had these last few years.
-This campaign has been everything Chris could ask for and he now sits in pole position for the title. Next season may be clouded in mystery but that's a small price to pay for spot Chris is in.
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