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NBA: 5 teams that could make a big jump in 2018-19

By Chris Murch

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 03: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors signals to teammates after hitting a three point shot on his way to a game-high 35 points against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raptors defeated the Bulls 124-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 03: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors signals to teammates after hitting a three point shot on his way to a game-high 35 points against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raptors defeated the Bulls 124-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

San Antonio Spurs

2017-18 Record: 47-35

Key Offseason Acquisitions: Demar Derozan, Jakob Poeltl, Lonnie Walker IV

Losses from 2017-18 Season: Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Kyle Anderson, Danny Green

The biggest superstar-for-superstar trade maybe ever? Kawhi for Demar. 1st round pick in tow and a young solid center in Jakob Poeltl. The Spurs just improved immensely for a team that was already in pretty good shape. This is kind of a hot-take but this move puts the Spurs firmly in the western conference race. I know that may raise some eyebrows but listen here for a second.

Last year, without Kawhi, the Spurs still won 47 games. They got a game against the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. Their second-best player after LaMarcus Aldridge was a 31-year-old Rudy Gay who averaged 11.5 points per game. Their third best player was 75-year-old Pau Gasol who averaged 10.1 points per game. Besides those three, only Patty Mills (10.0) averaged double digits points per game. That’s it. They had no one last year besides Aldridge and still won nearly 50 games and got the seventh seed. The power of Popovich!

Now with Derozan, you basically add a Kawhi-esque figure to that rotation. Last year, Derozan had one of the best all-around seasons of his career. Averaging 23.0 points, 5.2 assists (career-high) and 3.9 rebounds per game, he was named to his fourth all-star team and also awarded a second team All-NBA berth. Yes, his defensive game leaves something to be desired, but in a defense first system in San Antonio, that part of Demar’s game will surely elevate.

I love this move for San Antonio because you get rid of a petulant diva who didn’t want to be there and replace him with an all-NBA player that fits well within Pop’s system. Derozan is a silent assassin who wants to win and can score in a multitude of different ways. He also drastically improved his passing and playmaking this past season and I look for that part of his game to continue to go up.

Along with Derozan, the Spurs picked up a young sparkplug in Lonnie Walker IV in the draft and have young pieces like Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes to supplant scoring.

Along with the new pieces. The west is going to look a lot different this year. The Rockets lost a lot of defense in Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza and are looking to add Carmelo Anthony which makes me giggle. The Trailblazers look like they are going to splinter at any moment. The Pelicans don’t have Boogie anymore. The Thunder still don’t have an identity. You add the Lakers to the picture, but they are a year away with their youth. That basically only leaves the Spurs, Warriors and Rockets as teams with serious contention for the Western Conference Finals.

I am excited to see how Derozan fits in with the Spurs. I expect it to be pretty seamless for him to flourish within their system. Watch out Spurs fans, potentially full steam ahead.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers

2017-18 Record: 35-47

Key offseason acquisitions: Lebron James, Lance Stephenson, Javale Mcgee

Losses from 2017-18 season: Brook Lopez, Julius Randle

Duh.

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