When you think rebuild, many fans like to put a negative connotation behind it, but it doesn’t have to be that way exactly. A rebuild in NBA terms can be monumental and very important for a team to be potential contenders rather than be mediocre for years and years. Look at teams like The 76ers and Suns that went through a whole rebuild and now are top contenders in their respective conferences. A lot of teams are going into rebuilds right now, like the Thunder and Pistons for example.
Why be a mediocre team and lose out on a top prospect nor be a contender? It’s just an endless cycle of mediocrity. Let’s get into some teams that are mediocre, but should strive for a rebuild for the better of the future outlook of the team…
Toronto Raptors
I mean… this is pretty obvious right? The Raptors have a few aging veterans in Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Chris Boucher, and Pascal Siakam that I would consider trading away to get into a rebuild. They’re all good and solid players, but not a championship team without a superstar. They have some young assets and players they should focus on rebuilding around in Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn, and Og Anunoby. Trading away Lowry/VanVleet/ this offseason and getting a potential top pick or young assets is going to be better for the future.
The Raptors somehow last season was the #2 seed, but it’s been a whole different story this year. It’s time they move on from their veterans and push towards building around their young players.
Indiana Pacers
It really hurts me to write this as I am a Pacers fan, but you have to do what you have to do. The Pacers have sadly been in an endless cycle of mediocrity ever since the departure of Paul George. They’ve shown flashes of being a contender at times, but injuries have derailed them constantly. They have a solid set of veterans and All-Star level talent players that could net them some assets for a true rebuild.
Potentially letting go of players like Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, TJ Warren, etc. could end up being better for the Pacers in the long-term. If they could net a top 5 pick in this year’s draft by trading away some of their top veterans or a young up and coming talent, they should definitely look into it. The Pacers are having a down season after being a top 4 seed last season and need to change things up.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs already started getting into the process of a rebuild by buying out LaMarcus Aldridge, but it shouldn’t stop there. They need to trade other aging veterans or let them leave in FA like DeRozan, Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay. The Spurs have one of the more intriguing young cores in the league right now in my opinion. I’m a huge fan of Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson and also love what Devin Vassell brings as well.
They need to rid their veterans and move towards building around Murray, Keldon Johnson, Derrick White, Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker, etc.
