ESPN expert vote: Where does Harden Lillard go Who's next star to apply for a trade?

This article was compiled from: ESPN

Written by ESPN staff

原标题：NBA predictions: Where will Harden and Lillard land?

With 64 days to go until the NBA season begins, ESPN experts vote on hot topics in the offseason. Where did Lillard and Harden go? Who will be the next star to apply for a trade? Which team improved the most? Which team is the most volatile? Let's take a look at the votes of the experts.

The specific rules of voting are the first two questions, and the experts give the first three choices, the first one is counted as 5 points, the second place is counted as 3 points, the third place is recorded as 1 point, and finally the total score is counted. The last three questions give direct answers.

Question 1: Which team has improved the most?

The young Thunder is the most favored. Holmgren is about to make his official debut, Jaylen Williams could be better in his second season, and of course Alexander, the core of the NBA All-NBA team, who is only 25 years old. The Lone Ranger is second, and Doncic and Irving are expected to work together for a full season after signing $126 million for three years to stay in Dallas.

Specific voting results: Thunder (49 points), Lone Ranger (29 points), Magic (21 points), Spurs (20 points), Pelicans (19 points), Pistons (16 points), Rockets and Timberwolves (both 12 points), Knicks (9 points), Bucks (8 points), Jazz and Hornets (all 7 points).

Question 2: Which team is the most volatile?

76 people ranked first with high votes. The farce of Harden and Morey has put this Eastern Conference powerhouse in trouble, and now it seems that MVP Embiid may also leave, how long can he endure? It's no surprise that the Blazers are in second place. Lillard has long applied for a deal, but trade talks are still stalled.

Specific voting results: 76ers (98 points), Trail Blazers (21 points), Lone Rangers (17 points), Grizzlies (14 points), Timberwolves (12 points), Clippers (10 points), Celtics (8 points), Hawks, Lakers and Knicks (same 7 points), Hornets and Suns (same 5 points), Warriors and Pelicans (all 4 points).

Question 3: What team will Lillard be on at the start of the 2023-24 season?

After playing a Hall of Fame-caliber career with the Blazers, Lillard finally applied for a trade and said he preferred to go to the Heat and play with Butler and Adebayo. The problem is that the Blazers aren't interested in the Heat's chips, with 52 percent of experts agreeing that Lillard will still wear the Blazers jersey after the start of the new season.

Specific voting results: Trail Blazers (52%), Heat (44%), 76ers (4%).

Question 4: Which team will Harden play for at the start of the 2023-24 season?

Harden said he would never play for Morey's team again, and Morey said the team planned to have Harden join training camp. The 76ers have had regular talks with the Clippers but no deal has been made. It is reported that the 76ers' asking price is high, and no team is willing or able to meet this request.

Specific voting results: 76ers (76%), Clippers (20%), Rockets (4%).

Question 5: Who will be the next star to apply for a trade?

Embiid tops the list and has previously said in interviews that he is pursuing a championship, whether in Philadelphia or elsewhere. The MVP center is about to reach his 8th season of career.

Tin is second in the list, having played just 29 games for the Pelicans last season. So far, he has played only 114 games in four seasons.

Voting results: Embiid (40%), Zion (20%), Towns (12%), Trae Young and Irving (8%), Morant, Mitchell and Doncic (4%).