mikeyvthedon
It is looking like the Suns might be a good choice. Right now they are full of vets and have very little to build on for the future. Only trades or free agency could stop them from going down a long ways. My outlook on this whole situation is that the teams that will tend to go through long downfalls have poor ownership. That is one reason I do not see the Blazers having a problem. Even when the Blazers "struggled", they were back in the play-offs only a few years later. Paul Allen is an owner who will go out and do things to make sure his team maintains a high level, plus with the young talent on Portland already, despite the injuries, I would be surprised if the Blazers are still not at least a play-off team 5 years from now. The Roy thing is worrisome, and I know people have no faith in Oden, but I would put my faith in ownership to say the Blazers if down, will not be down for long. Two teams I would maybe throw out there are Denver and New Orleans. Both will more than likely have to start from Ground Zero at some point in the near future. I have a feeling that Melo and Paul will join forces in New York, it seems to be that common conspiracy that might be a little hard to believe right now, but I see it happening. New Orleans would be in worse shape than Denver if this occured. 5 years is an awful long time though, and so many things can happen. Five years ago the Blazers were 21-61 and have turned into a consistent play-off team. Before their few years without postseason play, they made the play-offs 21 seasons in a row. If I were to bet against a team, I would not bet against the historical teams, which are the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers, who always seem to attract players or right now the Heat, Thunder, Blazers and Jazz. The last two just because they seem to have great basketball personnel. But, if the best way is to look at what the teams current outlook on the future is with the prospects they possess, Phoenix finishes dead last. Cleveland is close, though they have a healthier cap situation, but I see there being big problems in New Orleans down the line. The reason I think the Bobcats might turn around is #23, as long as he is at the helm, he should be able to get something done eventually. Right now the Bobcats future looks bleak, but someone eventually will want to come play for Michael Jordan.