At the halfway point, we have teams like the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers looking like the lead contenders to come out of the Western Conference. From seeds 9-12, it could be anybody’s game right now. However, there seem to be five clear teams that are just flat-out not good enough. Those include the Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Each team has a piece but that’s the problem. It’s just one piece. What if these five teams disbanded and formed one team? Would this be enough to convince the fans that this team could win an NBA championship?
The starting backcourt
Since both Chris, Paul, and Dennis Schroder have left, and George Hill is injured, it has forced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to run the point for Oklahoma City. What’s impressive is that his points per game (22.6), field goal percentage (50.6), and three-point field goal percentage (38.2%) have all gone up. Alongside him, we could pair Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging 23.2 points and 6.8 assists per game.
With Fox running the point, that would allow Gilgeous-Alexander to flourish as a shooter. Then, we can throw in one more guard in Victor Oladipo. We already have a point guard, so bringing John Wall to this team is unnecessary. Oladipo brings nearly 20 points per game and strong, tenacious defense, which is what this team will need in order to slow the opposing team’s best player.
The starting frontcourt
Everybody needs a big man in the middle and that would be Towns, Towns owns a career average of 22.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. He needs a change of scenery, so why not join this team? He could focus more on rebounding and playing primarily inside; however, the all-time leader in three-point field goals for the Timberwolves can hit an outside shot here and there.
At power forward, Zion Williamson would bring the perfect inside-outside punch. His strong, athletic body would be able to assist Towns on rebounding, while Williamson could also be a force in transition.
Conclusion
There are quite a few glowing negative concerns with this assembled team. For starters, age and experience are a factor. There are not very many teams that own young pieces that make it all the way. The only exception was the OKC team of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden in 2012. Only one of those players (Durant) has played in the NBA Finals since. Williamson, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Fox are all 23 years old or younger, and Towns is just 25, so that is a concern.
While this team would be young and athletic, a long playoff run just doesn’t seem likely right now. Maybe in a few years when some of these players mature. Fox has never made an All-Star Game. Neither had Gilgeous-Alexander, or Williamson. Oladipo made a pair of selections before he was injured, while Towns hasn’t received recognition in nearly two years.
Realistically, this team’s ceiling is making the Western Conference Finals.
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