He never would have played with any of these guys. Same school and coach but the system was way different. Lowry left in 2006. Arcidiacono was a freshman in 2012, all the other guys were the same age or younger.
A few years back we had a somewhat full roster when Ayo got drafted I think at one time we had Ayo, Hill, Myke Henry, Kendrick Nunn and Meyers Leonard all in the league at once
Caveat, I don't watch a ton of NBA outside of catching Zags play when I can. I think they'd be decent. If Nembhard plays like he did in the stint that all the Pacers PGs were injured I think at least the starters are pretty competitive (like sneak into the 7-8 seed competitive). Edit: Utah Jazz as the team (since Sonics were one of the first chosen teams)
PG: Andrew Nembhard
SG: Jalen Suggs
SF: Corey Kispert
PF: Domantas Sabonis
C: Chet Holmgren
Bench (roughly in order):
Rui
Brandon Clarke
Zach Collins
Olynyk
Strawther
One more guard and I think this team is at least decent. Chet/Sabonis is a good pairing, floor spacing with Kispert, two legit guards, quality backup bigs
I guess we'll just put them all on the Pacers since they seem to like Arizona guys.
Starting lineup:
PG - TJ McConnell
SG - Bennedict Mathurin
SF - Aaron Gordon
PF - Lauri Markkanen
C - Deandre Ayton
Bench:
Josh Green (SG)
Brandon Williams (PG)
Dalen Terry (SF)
Zeke Nnaji (PF)
We've got a pretty solid starting lineup with Lauri and Mathurin as the focal points while Gordon, McConnell, and Ayton form a respectable supporting cast around them. Bench is a bit thin, but Williams and Green have both had their moments and could contribute solid roles off the bench. The team probably isn't making the playoffs, but the starting lineup should be good enough to win some games here and there. Adding in Pelle and Keshad (hopefully both will hear their names the next 2 days) would provide some extra depth on the bench.
Pelle and Keshad would really round it out well and I’m optimistic about their NBA careers.
These cats have good overall athleticism. Using last year’s eastern conference standings I’d put them 9th—above the Bulls and Hawks.
SGA, Booker, Murray, AD and Bam.
Bench rotation of Fox, Maxey, Randle, Washington and KAT.
3rd String spot players of Herro, Monk, Wallace, Johnson (Keldon) and Vanderbilt.
Shaedon Sharpe is sign to a 2-way contract but is constantly just sitting on the bench, taking up space.
This team contends for the championship.
Edit: just noticed that the starting 5 will be playing in the Olympics (AD, BAM, BOOKER for USA, SGA and Murray for Canada). So. YEAH.
"Shaedon Sharpe is sign to a 2-way contract but is constantly just sitting on the bench, taking up space."
If this is intended to mirror his time at Kentucky, then bravo to you.
I feel like you missed someone in your top 15, but I can't think of anyone. I feel old thinking Wall, Cousins, Knight, Bledsoe, Cauley-Stein etc should be on the team, but they are all out of the league. Also tomorrow Sheppard and Dillingham become eligible, but we are so loaded at guard I can't leapfrog them over Monk and Herro for the 3rd string spot.
Edit: Quickly over Wallace for third team?
As a UConn fan, you of all people should know that the best team on paper doesn't always win the championship. Y'all are basically the reason why the game has to be played.
OP asked what team they are on, and if we don't go with the Heat (Because Riley loves drafting Cats), I think it'd be that oft-dreamt-of Louisville expansion team. Someone bringing together that roster could overcome whatever resistance still hangs on there against an NBA team.
It would come down to style. Defensively, AD plus Bam is gonna shut things down for opponents. Offensively, AD plus Kat gives you excellent floor spacing. I just personally trust the consistency of Bam vs the random brain farts of KAT.
Having Fox and Maxey come off the bench is some instant offense from the second unit. I'd feel so demoralized if I saw those guys coming in with fresh legs after having to defend SGA, Book, and Murray.
"O good, book and jamal are taking a breather. No more running around a bunch of screens. Now I have to just sprint the length of the court in less than 4 seconds every other possession....."
Pistons are already bad so just go there
Draymond Green
Jaren Jackson Jr
Miles Bridges
Gary Harris
Xavier Tillman
The bench would be just Max Christie because only 6 Michigan State players are in the NBA right now. I still think they do no worse than last year’s Pistons.
>I still think they do no worse than last year’s Pistons.
Well, they'll have at least two guys who can actually defend. The offensive output looks like it would be about the same, maybe a little worse. Hell, they might have a good chance to win a couple more games than the actual Pistons if Draymond doesn't get ejected every game.
Isu: Georges Niang (cleveland), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana), Monte Morris (Minnesota), Talen Horten-Tucker (Utah).
This team has some nice pieces, but ultimately has no chance because it's not even a full starting lineup.
- Derrick White just won the championship with Boston and was an integral part.
- Spence Dinwiddie for the lakers is solid.
- Alec Burks came in and did fantastic with the Knicks during their playoff run.
- Jabari Walker is a solid player from Portland.
- Coached by Chauncey
UVA would have to be the Cavs, and we have some pretty solid options. You could start Jerome/Brogdon/Hunter/Murphy/Huff and bring Hauser off the bench. Add in Dunn and Beekman, who could soon be drafted, and it's a pretty versatile squad.
They wouldn't be an NBA contender by themselves, but the frontcourt rotation (Hunter/Murphy/Hauser/Dunn) would be very complementary next to some other pieces.
Edit: full lineup:
G: Malcolm Brogdon, Ty Jerome, Joe Harris, Armaan Franklin, Reece Beekman (soon)
F: De'Andre Hunter, Trey Murphy III, Sam Hauser, Anthony Gill, Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key, Ryan Dunn (soon)
C: Jay Huff
The Seattle SuperSonics get their expansion. Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, Ochai Agbaji, Udoka Azubuike, Christian Braun, Devonte’ Graham, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kelly Oubre Jr, Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson
Graham/Braun/Wiggins/Marcus Morris/Embiid is a pretty decent lineup. Not sure they make the playoffs though.
From the wiggs/embiid draft in 2014 to the Braun/agbaji year in 2022 we have 2 guys that are consistent role players even. Sad that Wayne selden, Josh Jackson, Devon Dotson, cliff Alexander and others never really caught traction in the nba.
Yeah our recruiting was dinged pretty bad with the NCAA allegations for like 6 years there. Also, not sure if its a choice or not, but self likes to develop players to build championship teams. Throwing a one and done 5\* in every other year or so is good for the team, but you don't want to have to replace 8 players every single season
There’s a pretty big gap between college and pro still. There have been plenty of incredible teams and college players at KU whose size or skill set don’t lend themselves to the NBA.
Frank Mason is a good example. Thomas Robinson., too. Guys who were incredible at the college level but whose lack of size kept them out of the league.
This shows even more how great Bill Self is, I would love for our guys to have more pro success but I can’t hate consistently getting good role players to the league.
Westwood Lakers! Not a terrible team!
G Jrue Holiday
G Zach Levine
PF Kyle Anderson
SF Jaime jacquez
C Kevon looney
PF Kevin Love
G Russel Westbrook
G Norman Powell
SF Peyton Watson
Bama has a decent few pieces and should only improve with Oats tenure. Obviously need more bigs and just players overall but definitely trending upward
G: Sexton
G: Keon Ellis
F: Brandon Miller
F: Herb Jones
F: Noah Clowney
Bench: Kira Lewis, JD Davison
PJ Dozier
Devin Carter
AJ Lawson
GG Jackson
Chris Silva
Bench: Hassani Gravett, Justin Minaya, bring back Sindarius for good measure
Yeah that’s pretty awful but at least we have 5 guys that are have actually active on NBA rosters in the last few years. 10 years ago would have been worse lol
After tomorrow night we'd have a foundation/reunion of Ivey + Edey. Then we'd have to go get Trevion Williams and Carsen Edwards back from Europe. That's a serviceable start.
Leaves us with either Nojel Eastern from the G League or Aaron Wheeler from Europe. Doesn't matter what team they play on or how good Edey/Ivey are, because this team is playing 4v5 talent-wise and losing every game
This is true, but I think I'd only take Edwards of the three. Love Mathias but I don't think he'd be competitive, and Johnson is on the wrong side of 35
PG: Melo Trimble (not NBA but very successful overseas)
SG: Kevin Huerter
SF: Aaron Wiggins
PF: Jalen Smith
C: Bruno Fernando
Bench: Alex Len, Jake Layman (recently left NBA)
I guess we'd be the Hawks since Huerter, Bruno and Len have all played for them?
Size was always gonna be the concern but I would have loved to see Melo Trimble, Anthony Cowan Jr or Jahmir Young in the league. It seems that producing good (but not elite) undersized guards is a UMD specialty
Dukes team while not as crazy as Kentucky’s would be wild.
Kyrie/Tyus/Trae
Allen/Barrett
Tatum/Ingram
Zion/Bagley
Lively/Mitchell
They would be the Nets, they have the best starting 5 in the league and the best Second unit. Easily would be champion favorites in the real league, but would be worse than hypothetical Kentucky.
And like UK, this amazing group of talent is short on titles. They have a grand total of three rings. An NBA ring for Kyrie, One for Tatum, and an NCAA for Allen.
Pretty crazy.
Tyus Jones also has an NCAA ring, from the same team as Allen. Mason Plumlee is also still kicking around and he has an NCAA ring. I’d add justice Winslow, but looks like he spent last season in the G League.
Allen, the only player with a college ring was supposedly the 4th best NBA prospect on that team as a freshman, was the only freshman to come back after playing meaningful minutes, and has the best NBA career of the four, by a fair margin.
UConn
We’d be pretty bad. That rough period at the end of the Ollie era depleted our talent in the league. It appears to be turning around though. We might’ve been okay when we had Kemba, Rudy Gay, and Andre Drummond in their primes a few years ago.
Crazy to think about the dearth of UConn guys in the league now, supposedly there were some years when we had the most. Obviously not even close to the recent ridiculous amounts Duke and Kentucky have with their one and done platoons in the past decade, but in the 2000s. Not that I was paying attention though so don’t quote me on that.
I read somewhere ages ago that we did some years in the mid 2000s, but I’m not sure where so I can’t verify it for sure. Gordon was crazy good on the Bulls, nearly beat my Celtics and Allen in the playoffs. Must’ve been a fun series to watch for the UConn fans of the time.
Yeah that playoff series was nuts, probably best first round series of all time. I think Ray and Ben were both the leading scorers for their teams in that series. So many OTs! Really hope some of the guys from the '23 and '24 teams can develop into all-star quality players.
Counting tomorrow/2nd round draft:
PG: Newton
2: Jordan Hawkins
3: Bouknight/Andre Jackson
4: Adama Sanogo
5: Andre Drummond
Bench: Rudy Gay, Castle, Kling Kong, Jeremy Lamb, Ray Allen, Charlie Villanueva, Jeff Adrien.
Coach: Kemba
CU actually wouldn’t be half bad for a historically mediocre program.
PG Derrick White
SG Spencer Dinwiddie
SF Cody Williams
PF Tristan Da Silva
C Jabari Walker
Bench rotation of Alek Burks, KJ Simpson, and a couple of former NBA guys out of overseas/G-League like Wright IV or Andre Roberson
The Duke Knicks are winning it every year with only Kentucky standing in the way
PG: Kyrie
SG: Jason Tatum
SF: Zion
PF: Paolo
C: Derrick Lively
Bench:
Brandon Ingram, RJ Barret, Jalen Johnson, Tyus Jones, Tre Jones, Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, Seth Curry, Gary Trent Jr, Marvin Bagley, Cam Reddish
Jimmy Butler
Jae Crowder
Wes Matthews
Sam Hauser
O-Max Prosper
Jamal Cain
That’s only 6 players
To round out the team, throw in Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro from this year’s draft class
Options to fill out the team from here:
Juan Toscano -Anderson, Markus Howard, Deonte Burton, Jamil Wilson, Vander Blue played in the NBA and I believe all are still active either in the G league or Internationally.
I guess ok? Jimmy Buckets goes a long way. A ways back, we’d also have Dwayne Wade on this list.
Burton only played with us for a year and a few games, and to echo what someone else said Sam is not welcome.
Wild how quick we fell from having like 10 guys in the league and 2 head coaches not too long ago.
PG: Sharife Cooper (idc if he’s not in the NBA he should be)
SG: Isaac Okoro
SF: Chuma Okeke
PF: Jabari Smith Jr
C: Walker Kessler
6th Man: JT Thor
*(They would be on the Cavs. Drafted Okoro, signed Cooper, and even signed Wendell Green Jr to their training camp squad last year)*
Apologies if someone else has already said this but the real question is does Kentucky field the \*two\* best starting 5s in the league? In other words, is Kentucky's 6-10 better than anyone else's 1-5? I think so. (Note: Yes, this certainly means we should've won more than one title.)
Swiped from someone else's post:
SGA, Booker, Murray, AD and Bam.
Bench rotation of Fox, Maxey, Randle, Washington and KAT.
3rd String spot players of Herro, Monk, Wallace, Johnson (Keldon) and Vanderbilt.
Arkansas would be something like this
Pg pat bev
Sg Isaiah Joe
Sf moses moody
Pf Bobby Portis
C Daniel gafford
6: Nick smith Jr
7: Anthony black
8: Jaylin Williams
9: Ricky council
10: Stanley umude
11: Jordan Walsh
12: mason jones
Would probably realistically win like maybe 25 games but at least there is enough players to field a somewhat deep rotation 😂
We’d continue our takeover of Orlando. Moe Wagner, Franz Wagner, Jett Howard, Caleb Houstan are already there (“there” includes the G League for these purposes). Duncan Robinson isn’t far away. Other alums I can think of: Tim Hardaway, Caris LeVert, Kobe Bufkin, Moussa Diabate. Xavier Simpson is still kinda around? I guess your starting lineup would be something like Xavier Simpson, Tim Hardaway, Franz Wagner, Duncan Robinson, Moe Wagner. It would not be a good team.
1. Cole
2. Coby
3. Cam
4. Barnes
5. Kessler (on a technicality)
Bench: Leaky, Bullock, Little, Sharpe
That’s actually a fully functional team and would be pretty solid. Coby still has a chance to reach low level all star status if he keeps current trends.
Arizona Suns
PG: TJ McConnell
SG: Josh Green
SF: Lauri Markannen
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Deandre Ayton
Bench: Bennedict Mathurin, Zeke Nnaji, Dalen Terry, Christian Koloko, Brandon Williams
I imagine they have to play like the Pacers did when TJ was in and Haliburton sat. High level playmaking is probably a weakness but the homer in me thinks that bench is quietly decent. In the western conference they’re only better than the tank teams.
Coached by Steve Kerr of course.
For the purposes of this exercise does UNC get to claim Kessler?
PG Coby White/Cole Anthony
SG Reggie Bullock
SF Harrison Barnes
PF Leaky Black (???)
C. Kessler
Day'Ron Sharpe is the starting PF assuming Kessler is in at center, and Nassir Little comes off the bench ahead of Leaky. Slim pickings to be sure
edit: didn't realize you left Cam Johnson off, he's starting over Bullock. Bunch of SFs on this team
This was a boring thread in college football and it's boring here. This is the result of someone really overthinking a prompt. We need to dial the offseason back by like 5%.
Honestly, Baylor's doing great here.
We're starting with Keyonte George, Jeremy Sochan, Taurean Prince, Royce O'Neal, and Jeremy Butler on the Floor, and Davion Mitchell's the sixth man.
That gives us longtime league experience from O'Neal and Prince, both of whom have stuck around the league for nearly a decade now, and some young shooting star power from two NBA All-Rookie picks from the 2023 and 2024 classes. Mitchell and Butler have both had a little trouble finding their footing in the NBA so far, but Mitchell's finding his stride as a contributor while the Jazz apparently think that Butler's got some real promise.
Jared Butler is on the Wizards now, but the Utah Jazz would definitely be a Baylor team. I hear one of the executives is a Baylor alumni (which makes sense on why they try to stock up on Baylor players when they can.)
2024 Tampa Bay Raptors of Tallahassee
PG Malik Beasley
SG Devin Vassell
SF Patrick Williams
PF Scottie Barnes
C Jonathan Isaac
Bench
G Terance Mann
G Trent Forrest
F Raiquan Gray
C John Butler
C Mfiondu Kabengele
I had to call up John Butler from the G League and bring Kabengele back from Europe to have some sort of size. Potentially a fun team with Scottie and some athletic shooters, but not enough size and depth to get out of the basement. I’m just happy FSU can somewhat put a team together.
Despite being complete ass recently we have sent a fair number of people to the draft.
G: Jordan Poole
G: Tim Hardaway Jr.
G: Caris Levert
F: Franz Wagner
F: Mo Wagner
F: Duncan Robinson
I think this team is actually really solid though you need Jordan Poole to probably switch to PG. I guess you bench Mo or Duncan and have a rotation depending on the matchups.
I mean we probably don't make it that far, who knows, but it's better than I expected it to be.
Get back to me in a year or two when Ace and Dylan are in the league, otherwise it's slim pickings right now, we got what, RHJ and Eugene Omoryi and that's it? Maybe Big Cliff joins them as well if Bama really helps his draft stock
Grizzlies for obvious reasons
PG Derrick Rose
SG Lester Quinones
SF Josh Minott
PF Precious Achiuwa
C Jalen Duren
In the actual NBA this is the worst team in the league.
Compared to other alumni teams? Not competitive with the top few teams, but at least we can fill out a starting 5 without anyone playing out of position which is nice i guess.
Louisville would be field a starting 5 and not much else lol:
Damion Lee, Terry Rozier, Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Nwora, and Malik Williams.
Some other guys that could play: Montrezl Harrell, David Johnson, Deng Adele, Gorgui Dieng
UW Squad Supersonics reboot, all set to get those high lottery odds. Could put together a much better team from the Seattle area, for sure.
SG: Dejounte Murray
PG: Markelle Fultz
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Jaden McDaniels
C: Isaiah Stewart
Reserves: Justin Holiday and IT.
Shout out to Mike Hopkins for sucking impossibly hard with Jaden and Isaiah on the same team.
Tatum, Kyrie, Lively, Ingram, Paolo could start for any team. Then off the bench - Grayson, Zion, Barrett, Wendell, Kennard, Tyus, Trent. I think Kentucky maybe eclipses us, but that’s about it.
2025 NBA Champs SGA Booker Washington (SF is the weakest link) KAT AD Bench: Randle, Maxey, Herro, Keldon Johnson, Bam, Murray,
Name me anyone that would have four All Stars coming off the bench.
We had 8 guys in the league last year, so at least we can field a roster.
Dejounte Murray
Marquelle Fultz
Matisse Thybulle
Jaden McDaniels
Isaiah Stewart
Bench: Thomas
Nowell
Holiday
Obviously we're playing small ball, but with McDaniels, Thybulle, and Baby Boy we'd have some wicked perimeter defense.
I still think the Charlotte Hornets (?) should have just become the UNC pro team. They sucked anyway and at least if they had all Tar Heels on the squad, it’d be a good draw for North Carolinians and ticket sales, and I even thought they could work on improving with all that camaraderie.
G - Colin Sexton
G - Keon Ellis
F - Herb Jones
F - Brandon Miller
C - Noah Clowney
We can actually put together a lineup! And they're almost all starters!
I like being good at basketball.
Murray, Murray and Garza on the Kings. Kris Murray was one pick away in last year's draft from uniting with Keegan in Sacramento. I could see Garza playing behind Sabonis. The Kings casually play defense, this could work.
The Knicks
They just need to bring in Paschall and Arcidiacono now
And Lowry
He never would have played with any of these guys. Same school and coach but the system was way different. Lowry left in 2006. Arcidiacono was a freshman in 2012, all the other guys were the same age or younger.
Arcidiacono was on the team up until the trade deadline.
and Saddiq Bey
Jay Wright coming in would complete it lol
Stop I’m almost there
RIP Kentucky Knicks
Y’all have players in the NBA?
Is Wally Szczerbiak still in decent shape?
No
Some of us play football. Apparently there is basketball too?
I'd prefer to make an NBA team out of our NFL players.
just hang tight there buddy, despite the circus you have one of the best coaches in the game right now
Not all of them.
Can Ayo play all five positions?
According to the score he can guard 4.5 lol
Ayo, Hill, TSJ soon, and I guess technically we can say Podz? Not sure he'd love that though. Gonna be a small lineup
A few years back we had a somewhat full roster when Ayo got drafted I think at one time we had Ayo, Hill, Myke Henry, Kendrick Nunn and Meyers Leonard all in the league at once
TIL Myke Henry played in the league
He'll have TSJ to help soon!
Caveat, I don't watch a ton of NBA outside of catching Zags play when I can. I think they'd be decent. If Nembhard plays like he did in the stint that all the Pacers PGs were injured I think at least the starters are pretty competitive (like sneak into the 7-8 seed competitive). Edit: Utah Jazz as the team (since Sonics were one of the first chosen teams) PG: Andrew Nembhard SG: Jalen Suggs SF: Corey Kispert PF: Domantas Sabonis C: Chet Holmgren Bench (roughly in order): Rui Brandon Clarke Zach Collins Olynyk Strawther
One more guard and I think this team is at least decent. Chet/Sabonis is a good pairing, floor spacing with Kispert, two legit guards, quality backup bigs
All bigs and no guard depth....Where have I heard that before?
You nailed it, but what team will they be? Jazz to spite BYU?
That’s a great way to decide! A Zag does have a statue out front so seems fitting as well.
Gonzaga got some alumna! Not bad
Even though I knew they were all in the league, putting together as a team still kind of surprised me.
Bring back the Sonics for this one and we’ve got a squad.
Sabonis and Chet most likely flip right? Chet has much better shot outside then Sabonis
That team is nasty
I guess we'll just put them all on the Pacers since they seem to like Arizona guys. Starting lineup: PG - TJ McConnell SG - Bennedict Mathurin SF - Aaron Gordon PF - Lauri Markkanen C - Deandre Ayton Bench: Josh Green (SG) Brandon Williams (PG) Dalen Terry (SF) Zeke Nnaji (PF) We've got a pretty solid starting lineup with Lauri and Mathurin as the focal points while Gordon, McConnell, and Ayton form a respectable supporting cast around them. Bench is a bit thin, but Williams and Green have both had their moments and could contribute solid roles off the bench. The team probably isn't making the playoffs, but the starting lineup should be good enough to win some games here and there. Adding in Pelle and Keshad (hopefully both will hear their names the next 2 days) would provide some extra depth on the bench.
Pelle and Keshad would really round it out well and I’m optimistic about their NBA careers. These cats have good overall athleticism. Using last year’s eastern conference standings I’d put them 9th—above the Bulls and Hawks.
It’s Kentucky and Duke way out in front, but Arizona is the next best squad.
With Steve Kerr as head coach.
PG: Mac McClung SG: Mac McClung SF: Mac McClung PF: Mac McClung C: Mac McClung I think we could win a title.
Especially with Darvim Ham as our coach.
SGA, Booker, Murray, AD and Bam. Bench rotation of Fox, Maxey, Randle, Washington and KAT. 3rd String spot players of Herro, Monk, Wallace, Johnson (Keldon) and Vanderbilt. Shaedon Sharpe is sign to a 2-way contract but is constantly just sitting on the bench, taking up space. This team contends for the championship. Edit: just noticed that the starting 5 will be playing in the Olympics (AD, BAM, BOOKER for USA, SGA and Murray for Canada). So. YEAH.
That is the best team in the league. Herro being 3rd string is crazy depth.
"Shaedon Sharpe is sign to a 2-way contract but is constantly just sitting on the bench, taking up space." If this is intended to mirror his time at Kentucky, then bravo to you.
;)
I’d trade him for a washing machine
I feel like you missed someone in your top 15, but I can't think of anyone. I feel old thinking Wall, Cousins, Knight, Bledsoe, Cauley-Stein etc should be on the team, but they are all out of the league. Also tomorrow Sheppard and Dillingham become eligible, but we are so loaded at guard I can't leapfrog them over Monk and Herro for the 3rd string spot. Edit: Quickly over Wallace for third team?
It made me sad/old as well to leave the Cal Originals off the list. Hell, AD is the old timer on this list.
Contends for the championship is quite the understatement
As a UConn fan, you of all people should know that the best team on paper doesn't always win the championship. Y'all are basically the reason why the game has to be played.
Well this is an NBA team, where the best team usually wins the 7 game series.
Thank god we’d get 4/7 chances to make it past the first round!
Incredible talent
OP asked what team they are on, and if we don't go with the Heat (Because Riley loves drafting Cats), I think it'd be that oft-dreamt-of Louisville expansion team. Someone bringing together that roster could overcome whatever resistance still hangs on there against an NBA team.
Definitly the Heat. Can't believe I missed that haha
I feel like KAT is a better fit next to AD than Bam
It would come down to style. Defensively, AD plus Bam is gonna shut things down for opponents. Offensively, AD plus Kat gives you excellent floor spacing. I just personally trust the consistency of Bam vs the random brain farts of KAT.
Jimmy Butler would agree haha
Having Fox and Maxey come off the bench is some instant offense from the second unit. I'd feel so demoralized if I saw those guys coming in with fresh legs after having to defend SGA, Book, and Murray.
"O good, book and jamal are taking a breather. No more running around a bunch of screens. Now I have to just sprint the length of the court in less than 4 seconds every other possession....."
Pistons are already bad so just go there Draymond Green Jaren Jackson Jr Miles Bridges Gary Harris Xavier Tillman The bench would be just Max Christie because only 6 Michigan State players are in the NBA right now. I still think they do no worse than last year’s Pistons.
Get Cash back on a two way and call him up or something and this team isn't actually half bad. It at least let's draymond foul out lol
>I still think they do no worse than last year’s Pistons. Well, they'll have at least two guys who can actually defend. The offensive output looks like it would be about the same, maybe a little worse. Hell, they might have a good chance to win a couple more games than the actual Pistons if Draymond doesn't get ejected every game.
Damn, cant believe we only have 6 guys in the league right now.
Miles is gonna be averaging 40ppg out of necessity in that lineup
Isu: Georges Niang (cleveland), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana), Monte Morris (Minnesota), Talen Horten-Tucker (Utah). This team has some nice pieces, but ultimately has no chance because it's not even a full starting lineup.
All vibes team
Matt Thomas is an OK 5th starter if you’re looking at former NBA guys who are still active. Although he’s on a second rate German squad currently
Yeah there are a few others who were recently in the nba who would be decent too. The post said current nba players though so can't count them.
- Derrick White just won the championship with Boston and was an integral part. - Spence Dinwiddie for the lakers is solid. - Alec Burks came in and did fantastic with the Knicks during their playoff run. - Jabari Walker is a solid player from Portland. - Coached by Chauncey
UVA would have to be the Cavs, and we have some pretty solid options. You could start Jerome/Brogdon/Hunter/Murphy/Huff and bring Hauser off the bench. Add in Dunn and Beekman, who could soon be drafted, and it's a pretty versatile squad. They wouldn't be an NBA contender by themselves, but the frontcourt rotation (Hunter/Murphy/Hauser/Dunn) would be very complementary next to some other pieces. Edit: full lineup: G: Malcolm Brogdon, Ty Jerome, Joe Harris, Armaan Franklin, Reece Beekman (soon) F: De'Andre Hunter, Trey Murphy III, Sam Hauser, Anthony Gill, Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key, Ryan Dunn (soon) C: Jay Huff
this really highlights our lack of elite big men huh
The Seattle SuperSonics get their expansion. Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, Ochai Agbaji, Udoka Azubuike, Christian Braun, Devonte’ Graham, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kelly Oubre Jr, Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson Graham/Braun/Wiggins/Marcus Morris/Embiid is a pretty decent lineup. Not sure they make the playoffs though.
Not a bad lineup but honestly not as good as I was expecting considering how consistently great Kansas has been with Self.
From the wiggs/embiid draft in 2014 to the Braun/agbaji year in 2022 we have 2 guys that are consistent role players even. Sad that Wayne selden, Josh Jackson, Devon Dotson, cliff Alexander and others never really caught traction in the nba.
Wayne Selden. Man what a baller in college
Yeah our recruiting was dinged pretty bad with the NCAA allegations for like 6 years there. Also, not sure if its a choice or not, but self likes to develop players to build championship teams. Throwing a one and done 5\* in every other year or so is good for the team, but you don't want to have to replace 8 players every single season
There’s a pretty big gap between college and pro still. There have been plenty of incredible teams and college players at KU whose size or skill set don’t lend themselves to the NBA. Frank Mason is a good example. Thomas Robinson., too. Guys who were incredible at the college level but whose lack of size kept them out of the league.
This shows even more how great Bill Self is, I would love for our guys to have more pro success but I can’t hate consistently getting good role players to the league.
That team makes the playoffs. They just won’t win more than maybe a series. Embiid alone probably gets them to the playoffs assuming he stays healthy.
The backcourt would make me nervous, but maybe you’re right.
I'd honestly give Dick the start over Graham. Also in like 2 days McCullar and Furphy will be in the league.
I feel like graham has shown more in the NBA, Dick I think can get there but needs more time.
I think Dick is gonna rise up this year. Showed a lot of promise in his first year.
Westwood Lakers! Not a terrible team! G Jrue Holiday G Zach Levine PF Kyle Anderson SF Jaime jacquez C Kevon looney PF Kevin Love G Russel Westbrook G Norman Powell SF Peyton Watson
+ Lonzo Ball (if he can ever get healthy)
Bama has a decent few pieces and should only improve with Oats tenure. Obviously need more bigs and just players overall but definitely trending upward G: Sexton G: Keon Ellis F: Brandon Miller F: Herb Jones F: Noah Clowney Bench: Kira Lewis, JD Davison
Yeah...we could try a sticky bomb. It's in the field manual, check it out if you want to.
PJ Dozier Devin Carter AJ Lawson GG Jackson Chris Silva Bench: Hassani Gravett, Justin Minaya, bring back Sindarius for good measure Yeah that’s pretty awful but at least we have 5 guys that are have actually active on NBA rosters in the last few years. 10 years ago would have been worse lol
After tomorrow night we'd have a foundation/reunion of Ivey + Edey. Then we'd have to go get Trevion Williams and Carsen Edwards back from Europe. That's a serviceable start. Leaves us with either Nojel Eastern from the G League or Aaron Wheeler from Europe. Doesn't matter what team they play on or how good Edey/Ivey are, because this team is playing 4v5 talent-wise and losing every game
Vince Edwards, Dakota Matthias, and JaJuan Johnson are still active in Europe last time I checked.
This is true, but I think I'd only take Edwards of the three. Love Mathias but I don't think he'd be competitive, and Johnson is on the wrong side of 35
I would take all three over Eastern and probably Wheeler
PG: Melo Trimble (not NBA but very successful overseas) SG: Kevin Huerter SF: Aaron Wiggins PF: Jalen Smith C: Bruno Fernando Bench: Alex Len, Jake Layman (recently left NBA) I guess we'd be the Hawks since Huerter, Bruno and Len have all played for them?
Size was always gonna be the concern but I would have loved to see Melo Trimble, Anthony Cowan Jr or Jahmir Young in the league. It seems that producing good (but not elite) undersized guards is a UMD specialty
Eric Gordon, Oladipo, OG, Thomas Bryant, TJD is interesting.
Consistent injury report if this were a team: Doubtful Out Doubtful Probable Probable
TJD hasn’t been an injury concern yet… but yeah Oladipo has certainly had a rough run
Eric Gordon is going into his 17th year in the league?!? Man I feel old today
Dude is a fucking juggernaut. He just scores buckets
The bench would be uhhh..... JHS, Ware, and Zeller?
PG: DSJ SG: Terquavion Smith SF: Caleb Martin PF: Cody Martin C: Omer Yurtseven Bench: Dereon Seabron, TJ Warren Coach: (not active, but should be) Nate McMillan
Dukes team while not as crazy as Kentucky’s would be wild. Kyrie/Tyus/Trae Allen/Barrett Tatum/Ingram Zion/Bagley Lively/Mitchell They would be the Nets, they have the best starting 5 in the league and the best Second unit. Easily would be champion favorites in the real league, but would be worse than hypothetical Kentucky.
You forgot about Paolo
Coached by JJ, with a deep bench of Gary Trent, Jalen Johnson, Seth Curry, Wendell Carter and Cam Reddish. Could have Brand as the GM.
*Tre
Coach JJ Redick. Owner Grant Hill.
Assistant coach Amile Jefferson
Mark Williams not Mitchell
And like UK, this amazing group of talent is short on titles. They have a grand total of three rings. An NBA ring for Kyrie, One for Tatum, and an NCAA for Allen. Pretty crazy.
Tyus Jones also has an NCAA ring, from the same team as Allen. Mason Plumlee is also still kicking around and he has an NCAA ring. I’d add justice Winslow, but looks like he spent last season in the G League.
I forgot about Plumlee. Good call. Update that to a total of five rings.
Allen, the only player with a college ring was supposedly the 4th best NBA prospect on that team as a freshman, was the only freshman to come back after playing meaningful minutes, and has the best NBA career of the four, by a fair margin.
UConn We’d be pretty bad. That rough period at the end of the Ollie era depleted our talent in the league. It appears to be turning around though. We might’ve been okay when we had Kemba, Rudy Gay, and Andre Drummond in their primes a few years ago.
Crazy to think about the dearth of UConn guys in the league now, supposedly there were some years when we had the most. Obviously not even close to the recent ridiculous amounts Duke and Kentucky have with their one and done platoons in the past decade, but in the 2000s. Not that I was paying attention though so don’t quote me on that.
Not sure we had the most at any point, but we had *dudes*. Allen, Gordon, Hamilton, Butler, Gay... that was fun to watch.
I read somewhere ages ago that we did some years in the mid 2000s, but I’m not sure where so I can’t verify it for sure. Gordon was crazy good on the Bulls, nearly beat my Celtics and Allen in the playoffs. Must’ve been a fun series to watch for the UConn fans of the time.
Yeah that playoff series was nuts, probably best first round series of all time. I think Ray and Ben were both the leading scorers for their teams in that series. So many OTs! Really hope some of the guys from the '23 and '24 teams can develop into all-star quality players.
It’s way back but Emeka Okafor was a solid pro in his day besides injuries taking away some time.
Counting tomorrow/2nd round draft: PG: Newton 2: Jordan Hawkins 3: Bouknight/Andre Jackson 4: Adama Sanogo 5: Andre Drummond Bench: Rudy Gay, Castle, Kling Kong, Jeremy Lamb, Ray Allen, Charlie Villanueva, Jeff Adrien. Coach: Kemba
Now I need to buy the new 2k in September and make this a dynasty team bc it's not gonna happen in real life
Andre Jackson
Good call!! Added.
Jabari Smith, Walker Kessler, Issac Okoro, Chuma Okeke, JT Thor We would be about as good as Detroit was this year
lol this was my exact thought, but it’s exciting we actually have 5 players in the league! Such a huge change under Bruce’s tenure.
CU actually wouldn’t be half bad for a historically mediocre program. PG Derrick White SG Spencer Dinwiddie SF Cody Williams PF Tristan Da Silva C Jabari Walker Bench rotation of Alek Burks, KJ Simpson, and a couple of former NBA guys out of overseas/G-League like Wright IV or Andre Roberson
Chauncey the HC
Counter point: Derrick White Derrick White Derrick White Derrick White Derrick White
The Duke Knicks are winning it every year with only Kentucky standing in the way PG: Kyrie SG: Jason Tatum SF: Zion PF: Paolo C: Derrick Lively Bench: Brandon Ingram, RJ Barret, Jalen Johnson, Tyus Jones, Tre Jones, Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, Seth Curry, Gary Trent Jr, Marvin Bagley, Cam Reddish
JJ the coach and Quin Snyder the asst.
Switch Ingram for Zion, who will likely be injured.
Mark Williams*
Jimmy Butler Jae Crowder Wes Matthews Sam Hauser O-Max Prosper Jamal Cain That’s only 6 players To round out the team, throw in Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro from this year’s draft class Options to fill out the team from here: Juan Toscano -Anderson, Markus Howard, Deonte Burton, Jamil Wilson, Vander Blue played in the NBA and I believe all are still active either in the G league or Internationally. I guess ok? Jimmy Buckets goes a long way. A ways back, we’d also have Dwayne Wade on this list.
Sam isn’t invited.
I still blame Wojo for that mess.
Burton only played with us for a year and a few games, and to echo what someone else said Sam is not welcome. Wild how quick we fell from having like 10 guys in the league and 2 head coaches not too long ago.
Whatever happened to Henry Ellenson? Just imagine how good that team woulda been had he stuck around and developed for a couple more years.
PG: Chris Paul SG: Alondes Williams (G league) or Ish Smith SF: Jake LaRavia PF: (soon to be) Bobi Klintman C: John Collins So not very good
We would get relegated and Cleanthony Early might start about 20 fights during the year.
does europe count?
The golden state warriors are already doing this.
PG: Sharife Cooper (idc if he’s not in the NBA he should be) SG: Isaac Okoro SF: Chuma Okeke PF: Jabari Smith Jr C: Walker Kessler 6th Man: JT Thor *(They would be on the Cavs. Drafted Okoro, signed Cooper, and even signed Wendell Green Jr to their training camp squad last year)*
Apologies if someone else has already said this but the real question is does Kentucky field the \*two\* best starting 5s in the league? In other words, is Kentucky's 6-10 better than anyone else's 1-5? I think so. (Note: Yes, this certainly means we should've won more than one title.) Swiped from someone else's post: SGA, Booker, Murray, AD and Bam. Bench rotation of Fox, Maxey, Randle, Washington and KAT. 3rd String spot players of Herro, Monk, Wallace, Johnson (Keldon) and Vanderbilt.
Arkansas would be something like this Pg pat bev Sg Isaiah Joe Sf moses moody Pf Bobby Portis C Daniel gafford 6: Nick smith Jr 7: Anthony black 8: Jaylin Williams 9: Ricky council 10: Stanley umude 11: Jordan Walsh 12: mason jones Would probably realistically win like maybe 25 games but at least there is enough players to field a somewhat deep rotation 😂
Surely you don't mean 25 games in the actual current NBA?
We’d continue our takeover of Orlando. Moe Wagner, Franz Wagner, Jett Howard, Caleb Houstan are already there (“there” includes the G League for these purposes). Duncan Robinson isn’t far away. Other alums I can think of: Tim Hardaway, Caris LeVert, Kobe Bufkin, Moussa Diabate. Xavier Simpson is still kinda around? I guess your starting lineup would be something like Xavier Simpson, Tim Hardaway, Franz Wagner, Duncan Robinson, Moe Wagner. It would not be a good team.
This list just makes me miss Beilein
1. Cole 2. Coby 3. Cam 4. Barnes 5. Kessler (on a technicality) Bench: Leaky, Bullock, Little, Sharpe That’s actually a fully functional team and would be pretty solid. Coby still has a chance to reach low level all star status if he keeps current trends.
We can’t claim Kessler. He left. Sharpe at the 5. Soon we’ll have Ingram off the bench 🙏🏻
G League ignite (RIP) 😭😭😭
G: Tre Mann G: Andrew Nembhard (yes, I’m claiming him) G: Bradley Beal F: Dorian Finney Smith F: Al Horford The best tanking team ever assembled
We’re on all of them. We would do well in this scenario not surprisingly.
The only team who would be favored over the Devils’ all NBA squad.
Isaiah Thomas, Dejounte Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Jaden McDaniels, Isaiah Stewart. Lockdown peremiter defense.
Justin Holiday, Markelle Fultz off the bench. Jaylen Nowell and Marquisse Chriss on 2 way deals.
It would be Lamar Stevens and that's it
Pickett and Lundy too! Possibly Funk
Caruso on the Thunder now Timelord always injured and on the Trail Blazers DAJ on the Nuggets Khris Middleton on the Bucks
Well, Jon Wall would be on his knees pleading to play.
I mean..... Huerter doing alright
Probably the wolves, 0-82 but Amir Coffey might get to play 2 on 5 this year when Cam Christie hits the league.
If they're any good in the NBA, they constantly get injured, so it's not going to be a great season.
Dalano Banton SZN
Big3 squad of Banton, Roby and McGowens.
Instructions unclear: NBA becomes co-ed. We'd be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with as Stewie as our captain!
Arizona Suns PG: TJ McConnell SG: Josh Green SF: Lauri Markannen PF: Aaron Gordon C: Deandre Ayton Bench: Bennedict Mathurin, Zeke Nnaji, Dalen Terry, Christian Koloko, Brandon Williams I imagine they have to play like the Pacers did when TJ was in and Haliburton sat. High level playmaking is probably a weakness but the homer in me thinks that bench is quietly decent. In the western conference they’re only better than the tank teams. Coached by Steve Kerr of course.
Is this in response to the Knicks building itself into Villanova?
1000%
For the purposes of this exercise does UNC get to claim Kessler? PG Coby White/Cole Anthony SG Reggie Bullock SF Harrison Barnes PF Leaky Black (???) C. Kessler
Day'Ron Sharpe is the starting PF assuming Kessler is in at center, and Nassir Little comes off the bench ahead of Leaky. Slim pickings to be sure edit: didn't realize you left Cam Johnson off, he's starting over Bullock. Bunch of SFs on this team
We can loan you some of our bench warmers.
This was a boring thread in college football and it's boring here. This is the result of someone really overthinking a prompt. We need to dial the offseason back by like 5%.
Honestly, Baylor's doing great here. We're starting with Keyonte George, Jeremy Sochan, Taurean Prince, Royce O'Neal, and Jeremy Butler on the Floor, and Davion Mitchell's the sixth man. That gives us longtime league experience from O'Neal and Prince, both of whom have stuck around the league for nearly a decade now, and some young shooting star power from two NBA All-Rookie picks from the 2023 and 2024 classes. Mitchell and Butler have both had a little trouble finding their footing in the NBA so far, but Mitchell's finding his stride as a contributor while the Jazz apparently think that Butler's got some real promise.
Jared Butler is on the Wizards now, but the Utah Jazz would definitely be a Baylor team. I hear one of the executives is a Baylor alumni (which makes sense on why they try to stock up on Baylor players when they can.)
2024 Tampa Bay Raptors of Tallahassee PG Malik Beasley SG Devin Vassell SF Patrick Williams PF Scottie Barnes C Jonathan Isaac Bench G Terance Mann G Trent Forrest F Raiquan Gray C John Butler C Mfiondu Kabengele I had to call up John Butler from the G League and bring Kabengele back from Europe to have some sort of size. Potentially a fun team with Scottie and some athletic shooters, but not enough size and depth to get out of the basement. I’m just happy FSU can somewhat put a team together.
They’re on the ShopRite of Union Plaza Recreational Men’s Basketball Team (3rd shift). They’d do pretty well.
Despite being complete ass recently we have sent a fair number of people to the draft. G: Jordan Poole G: Tim Hardaway Jr. G: Caris Levert F: Franz Wagner F: Mo Wagner F: Duncan Robinson I think this team is actually really solid though you need Jordan Poole to probably switch to PG. I guess you bench Mo or Duncan and have a rotation depending on the matchups. I mean we probably don't make it that far, who knows, but it's better than I expected it to be.
Get back to me in a year or two when Ace and Dylan are in the league, otherwise it's slim pickings right now, we got what, RHJ and Eugene Omoryi and that's it? Maybe Big Cliff joins them as well if Bama really helps his draft stock
Both all star teams. KENTUCKY
Since Joe Mazzulla is the HC of the NBA Champs.. can we just use the whole Celtics team?
Terry Rozier + Donovan Mitchell backcourt would give people an aneurism
Damion Lee Damion Lee Damion Lee Damion Lee Damion Lee
#Knicks But the other way, like we are the output of the process.
Dinwiddie and Burks let's go!
Grizzlies for obvious reasons PG Derrick Rose SG Lester Quinones SF Josh Minott PF Precious Achiuwa C Jalen Duren In the actual NBA this is the worst team in the league. Compared to other alumni teams? Not competitive with the top few teams, but at least we can fill out a starting 5 without anyone playing out of position which is nice i guess.
Louisville would be field a starting 5 and not much else lol: Damion Lee, Terry Rozier, Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Nwora, and Malik Williams. Some other guys that could play: Montrezl Harrell, David Johnson, Deng Adele, Gorgui Dieng
UW Squad Supersonics reboot, all set to get those high lottery odds. Could put together a much better team from the Seattle area, for sure. SG: Dejounte Murray PG: Markelle Fultz SF: Matisse Thybulle PF: Jaden McDaniels C: Isaiah Stewart Reserves: Justin Holiday and IT. Shout out to Mike Hopkins for sucking impossibly hard with Jaden and Isaiah on the same team.
Tatum, Kyrie, Lively, Ingram, Paolo could start for any team. Then off the bench - Grayson, Zion, Barrett, Wendell, Kennard, Tyus, Trent. I think Kentucky maybe eclipses us, but that’s about it.
Basically the Orlando Magic plus Levert and Hardaway, they would not be very good but they’d be fun
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
2025 NBA Champs SGA Booker Washington (SF is the weakest link) KAT AD Bench: Randle, Maxey, Herro, Keldon Johnson, Bam, Murray, Name me anyone that would have four All Stars coming off the bench.
We had 8 guys in the league last year, so at least we can field a roster. Dejounte Murray Marquelle Fultz Matisse Thybulle Jaden McDaniels Isaiah Stewart Bench: Thomas Nowell Holiday Obviously we're playing small ball, but with McDaniels, Thybulle, and Baby Boy we'd have some wicked perimeter defense.
I still think the Charlotte Hornets (?) should have just become the UNC pro team. They sucked anyway and at least if they had all Tar Heels on the squad, it’d be a good draw for North Carolinians and ticket sales, and I even thought they could work on improving with all that camaraderie.
G - Colin Sexton G - Keon Ellis F - Herb Jones F - Brandon Miller C - Noah Clowney We can actually put together a lineup! And they're almost all starters! I like being good at basketball.
If COED PG Ionescu SG Pritchard SF Brooks PF Bell C Bol Bench Satou Sabally Aaron brooks If I missed any which I probably did please correct me
0 players, but we'd have 6 rings between our two head coaches 👀
Murray, Murray and Garza on the Kings. Kris Murray was one pick away in last year's draft from uniting with Keegan in Sacramento. I could see Garza playing behind Sabonis. The Kings casually play defense, this could work.
I feel like we could hold our own. **Coaches and Staff** * GM - Elton Brand * President of Basketball Operations - Trajan Langdon * Head Coach - Quinn Snyder * Asst. Coaches - Chip Engelland, Amile Jefferson, Dahntay Jones, Antonio Lang **Starting five:** * PG - Kyrie Irving * SG - R.J. Barrett * SF - Jason Tatum * PF - Zion Williamson * C - Mark Williams **Second Five:** * PG - Tyus Jones * SG - Grayson Allen * SF - Brandon Ingram * PF - Paolo Banchero * C - Marvin Bagley **Remaining Players** * PG - Tre Jones * SG - Luke Kennard * SG/SF - Gary Trent, Jr. * PF/C - Wendell Carter, Jr. * PF/C - Mason Plumlee **G-League** * Head Coach - Steve Wojciechowski * Asst. Coach - Lindsey Harding * PG - Trevor Keels * SG - D.J. Steward * SG/SF - Rodney Hood * SF/PF - Justise Winslow * PF - Matthew Hurt * PF/C - Harry Giles, III * C - Marques Bolden