In Their Bag

San Antonio Spurs

How can I not put the Spurs in this category?

This team is on a roll. They just beat the now 24 – 2 Thunder and snapped their 16-game win streak. That might’ve been the greatest game of the season up to this point. Everybody played a role in this win. Luke Kornet did a decent job protecting the paint, Devin Vassell hit some huge threes, the three dynamic guards: De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper were all getting downhill and getting quality shots from the paint. Then, of course, Wemby’s impact was unreal. He only played 20 minutes, and in those minutes, the Spurs were an absurd +21. And now the Spurs have a very legitimate chance to win the NBA Cup on Tuesday. With this team finally getting healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if they creep into the top 3 in the West. Especially if they add more firepower at the trade deadline.

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Bag Lookin Shallow

Dallas Mavericks

What are the Mavs doing? I can’t tell if they’re trying to win now or if they’re trying to tank. Of course, there are rumours that AD will get traded. But how much could the Mavericks even get for him? He’s 32 years old, injury-prone, and his contract runs through 2028. Any team that takes on Anthony Davis will be taking a huge risk, and he can’t even be the player on a championship team. However, if Anthony Davis does remain a Maverick and they attempt to win now, it could blow up in their face. This is because this is the last year the Mavericks control their own draft pick until 2031. So even if they’re good now, there’s not much they can do in terms of improving their team without much draft capital. And who knows, maybe next year the Mavs continue to try to win, but they’re just not good. That’s a very real possibility, especially in the stacked West. And if that happens, then the Mavericks are screwed because they won’t own their first-round pick.

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No Bag

Cleveland Cavaliers

Going into this season, most people saw the Cavs as the top team in the East. That prediction hasn’t aged well. And it’s not because the Cavs are playing badly; it’s just that injuries have haunted this team since before the season even began. Garland missed time at the beginning of the year because of a toe injury, and since he’s returned, he’s definitely not been the same player. Then Jarrett Allen sustained a finger injury, which has kept him out of 9 of the last 10 games. And now Evan Mobley suffered a calf strain that will keep him out 2 – 4 weeks. With all these injuries occurring, the Cavs haven’t been able to find any sort of consistency. And even if the Cavs eventually get fully healthy, without any of their main guys getting injured for the remainder of the season. They’re going to need enough time to gel with one another before the playoffs, so they hopefully don’t get upset once again.