With the Christmas season quickly approaching many NBA general managers have been visiting shopping mall Santa’s and writing letters to the North pole all in hopes that their Christmas wishes come true. While some GM’s have lengthy wish lists there are others who have simple needs.
In hopes of saving these poor ol’ Santa’s from having any more NBA general managers seek them out, we at eDraft have been fortunate enough to be privy to some NBA team’s Christmas wishes.
Our Christmas wish list commences with the Eastern Conference where many teams are just wishing for a happy and healthier New Year for their key players. Here is a quick rundown of some teams Christmas wish list and glimpse of what many NBA general managers are hoping to find under their tree come Christmas morning.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics are hoping for a team psychiatrist who can keep Rajon Rondo from imploding on the court again and getting himself suspended for a lengthy period. Just someone who Rondo can confide in and hopefully get him to believe that there are better ways to get time off for a little R&R in Mexico than trading punched with opposing players.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia isn’t asking for much, just a healthy seven footer who can become the face of a fledgling franchise and return of their franchise back to relevance. Oh and one more thing if it’s not too much to ask could we have our seven footer sign a nice new long term contract at a reasonable cut rate given the fact that we have already paid him nearly $17 million for a lost year.
New York Knicks
The Knicks wish heading into the holiday season is for one of sustainability. No, not global energy, food sources or even moderated self-governance; nope the Knicks are looking to keep their winning ways going. To have a hope in seeing this happen a content and healthy Carmelo Anthony is needed. This Knicks roster might represent the best chance at making a deep playoff run so they don't want to see anything get in the way of this. Sustainability will be the Knicks buzz word of 2013.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors wish is simple. Be Lucky. As in be lucky when the lottery balls are a bouncing. The Raptors have consistently been an NBA bottom feeder and yet they always seem to get screwed come draft night. Partially due to bad luck in the way the balls have been bouncing but also in the way the draft picks are being used. While they have the audience the Raptors are also wishing that Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani can be jettisoned for some tangible parts in an effort to give this franchise a much needed face lift.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are hoping for a Christmas miracle in so much as they are wanting Derrick Rose to be ready to go at full strength by the all-star break. As a team they are holding on and playing like they're playoff bound; however, with Rose they elevate themselves into championship contention.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The return of Kyrie Irving has already been a Christmas dream come true now the Cavaliers can focus on what to do with Anderson Varejao. When a team is as bad as the Cavs and when they have an asset like Varejao he is surely to become trade bait. The Cavaliers are wishing for a solid return on their investment, a cache of young players and draft picks that would allow for the re-building process to continue would be a welcome present.
Detroit Pistons
If there is one team in the league that is assured of getting the Christmas wish it will be the Detroit Pistons. The most glaring need for the Pistons is to rid themselves of the albatross contract of Charlie Villanueva, which they can do come season end. The $8.5 million owed next season will not count against the cap and the payroll flexibility gives the Pistons some money to chase a free agent.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are wishing for a speedy recovery for Danny Granger. The once All-Star has struggled the past two season so the hope is not only for a healthy return but also one to his 2009-10 form. If the return doesn’t go well, the Pacers may be wishing for a suitable trade suitor come next Christmas.
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s wish this year is simple; keep the holiday shopping hours on all off-season long. With only $18.5 million in contracts on the books for next season the Hawks figure to be major players in the free agent market. The Hawks don’t really have the young talent to dangle; however, wouldn’t Cleveland’s Varejao be a good fit here?
Charlotte Bobcats
Last season the Bobcats were wishing for Kemba Walker to become the player that he is today. This season their wish is for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to drink the ‘Walker Vitamin Water’ and blossom into another successful draft selection.
Miami Heat
What does a reigning NBA Championship team wish for? That’s easy, one more championship of course. The players know that the nucleus of the team can’t remain intact due to financially punitive luxury taxes that come into play. The collective hope here is for another run to the title before the fiscal prudency kicks in. Come 2015-16 season there is $66 million in salary on the books with the money going to only four players.
Orlando Magic
Similarly to the Detroit Pistons, the Magic will get their Christmas wish granted this year. To rid themselves of the monstrosity that is Hedo Turkoglu’s $12 million contract. With Gilbert Arenas already amnestied at over $20 million, Turkoglu is sure to follow; which should allow for some payroll flexibility in chasing a mid-range free agent.
Washington Wizards
A speedy recovery for John Wall is all that is being asked here. The Wizards need their floor general back on it as soon as possible. Wall appears to be quite a ways away from returning so the chance of a Christmas miracle are slim; however, if Wall can suit up again this season and the backcourt lineup of Wall and Jordan Crawford can be evaluated then the Wizards can focus on the frontcourt come lottery draft time.