Three potential NBA superteams that could form and how they match up with Warriors
Can any of these theoretical superteams unite this summer and possibly challenge the Warriors?
Superteams are all the rage in the NBA. Not only did the Warriors form one organically through the draft and then add Kevin Durant, but the only way most can think of challenging Golden State is to form a similar collection of talent. Free agency starts Saturday at 12:01 a.m ET, and the Pacers continue to take offers for Paul George.
Here are three pie-in-the-sky super teams that could form this summer ... but probably won't.
THE BANANA BOAT GANG
Who? LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony (in some configuration)
Where? Cleveland, Los Angeles
Why? Well, the super-friends have always wanted to play together. James and Wade have already done that, but they still seem to miss one another on the floor. Paul and Anthony are in desperate need of a career reclamation after their playoff foibles. Playing together is fun and the group seems to think that would be a cool symmetry in finishing their careers together. More than anything, they wouldn't have to worry about one another, knowing that they're surrounded by star players.
How? Wade and Anthony are reportedly buyout candidates. Paul is a free agent, but he would have to take an insane pay cut to fit in with the Cavaliers ... unless they do a sign-and-trade with Kyrie Irving, which of course, they are not. Wade and Anthony would have to take the vet minimum, which is probably never, ever going to happen.
What would it look like? Aged precision. It would be a top team, there's no doubt. This would not be those 2013 Nets. But James would once again have to carry the load between Wade's injuries, Paul's age with removed meniscus and Anthony's single-dimension game. If/when it works, it would look amazing, even if Anthony might not adapt as well as most think he would to being the same spot-up weapon during an NBA season that he is in the Olympics. It would make for some spectacular highlights and amazing press conferences, the kind of theater that is the NBA.
Could they beat the Warriors? Five years ago? Absolutely. But none of them are the players they were then, not even James. The Warriors' speed and overall flow would be better, and they fit together more evenly than the BBG would. But it would be a lot of fun.
THE EXPENDABLE ALL-STARS
Who? Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, Paul George
Where? Boston
Why? Let's say the Celtics went all in. I mean, all in. Let's say they stopped hoarding assets like that uncle with the rare gold coin collection that he swears is going to make him rich one day when the market comes around. Let's say he said, "I believe in Isaiah Thomas, and think he can take us there."
Now let's say he cashes in the 2018 Nets pick, the Grizzlies' and Clippers' 2019 picks, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, whatever he needs to in order to get Paul George. (Not all of these, Celtics fans. I'm not going to try and concoct a deal Danny Ainge would do, I could never imagine being that hardball.) And let's say he pulls this off after signing Gordon Hayward. Your starting lineup: IT4, PG13, Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford.
Does that team challenge the Cavs? Probably. They would be able to trade off throwing George or Hayward at LeBron James, while the other is free of being guarded by him, while Thomas is able to play more of a distributor role and Horford fills in the gaps.
It's not about whether that team would be the best in the league. It would be the best team these guys have ever played on.
How? Pretty simple. Gamble on George staying with the team in free agency and sign Hayward. Now you have something. That's four All-Stars. The fact that it would seemingly be so easy for the Celtics is shocking, as is how unlikely it is that they would surrender the assets to make it happen.
What would it look like? The Celtics' big issue with perimeter size gets instantly better, and their perimeter weapons get upgraded. All of their guys can now go off for 25 points on any given night. This would work pretty well, since, as we've seen with Golden State, four All-Stars is a lot to handle.
Could they beat the Warriors? Still, no. The Warriors find mismatches in series and bleed them out. They would target Thomas, no matter where Boston tried to hide him, and the Warriors would dominate on the offensive glass, which leads to 3-pointers in chaotic situations. Is George or Hayward able to put a team on their back the way LeBron James is when he challenges Golden State? No? Then this isn't enough. But it would be fun.
THE BIG NOTHING EASY
Who? Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis
Where? New Orleans
Why? Redemption. Chris Paul returns to his adopted home to finish what he started, next to two transcendent talents. Davis gets a point guard who can set him up like no other and is focused on winning. Cousins walks into practice the first day of training camp, mouths off, Chris Paul beats the daylights out of him, and after some soul searching, Cousins comes back a more focused and controlled player.
It's a fairy tale, but it's also a heck of a story. Especially when John Calipari comes on to coach in a year.
How? Paul takes a pay cut. A huge pay cut. The Pelicans also offer an unprotected first-round pick to any buyer to take on Omer Asik, Solomon Hill or both. It's that simple. I mean, it's ludicrous, but it's simple.
What would it look like? If Paul and Cousins didn't constantly fight, it would be pretty incredible. A double-screen with Paul, Davis and Cousins is a pretty impossible puzzle to solve. They cover for one another's weaknesses and complement each other's games. Paul's leadership would benefit the two younger guys, and their aggressiveness would cover for Paul's adherence to system and patience.
Could they beat the Warriors? Not even close. Paul struggles to contain Curry's game-bending gravity, Draymond Green wold cause Cousins to blow like a volcano and Davis would struggle guarding Durant in small-ball situations. But it's a serious challenger.
















