A look at a few teams who won’t make the postseason but are still finishing 2016-17 on an upswing.
The NBA Playoffs are almost here, but for some NBA teams, their joy lies in the season to come.
Not every team that will be on the outside of the playoff party will get the opportunity to walk into next season with plenty of optimism; but there are five teams that, on paper at least, look like they will be on the upswing for the 2017-18 season.
Trending in the right direction means different things for each team but their prospects of playing well next year are all good. These teams are building for the future and things are starting to come together.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Ah, the Baby Lakers.
This team really did endure some growing pains this season, but after going through some soul searching and rebuilding, Laker fans have reason to hope that 2017-18 will be the season where the Purple and Gold re-emerge to reclaim the title of the NBA team in the City of Angels.
The Lakers have a potential Big Three in D’Agelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle. Toss in the versatile Jordan Clarkson, the dynamic Larry Nance Jr., and the growth of Tyler Ennis, a potential top-3 pick in this year’s draft and another year of Luke Walton’s calm coaching style seeping in. That’s a team that may sneak up on people next season.