Let's assess rebuilding efforts of nine NBA bottom-feeders

1)  ATLANTA HAWKS

Rebuilding theme: New-age Warriors. GM Travis Schlenk was a member of the Warriors’ front office that built the dynasty that owned the NBA the past half-decade. He has a clear vision for what he wants for his team: an offensive dynamo with unlimited range at point guard, a secondary ball-handler who can shoot at the two, versatile three-and-D wings at the three and four, and an athletic match-up nightmare at the five.
Core assets : Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: The Hawks should win at least 35 games (they won 29 last season) and compete for the No. 8 in the Eastern Conference.
Year they make the leap: 2021-22. The Hawks should be ready to make their jump to the top of the Eastern Conference after three more seasons of development for this young core.  

2)  MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Rebuilding theme : Evolutionary Grit-n-Grind. Though the names are different and the offense will be much more modern than the Grizzlies of old, the new-age Grizzlies’ foundation will still be defense and smart point guard play. Jaren Jackson Jr. has the potential to be one of the best two-way big men in the NBA for the next decade. Brandon Clarke has Shawn Marion-type potential. The ceiling for this core will depend on whether or not Ja Morant develops into a top-five point guard. If he does, Memphis will be a force.
Core assets : Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Grayson Allen.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: None. This season is solely about the development of Jackson Jr. and Morant. In fact, it’s probably best if the Grizzlies stink this season as their first-round pick is only top-6 protected next summer.
Year they make the leap: 2022-23. Same type of timeline as the Hawks, only competing in the Western Conference tends to take an extra season.

3) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Rebuilding theme : Danny Ainge’s Celtics rebuild. The Thunder is a general manager’s dream. Because of the Paul George trade, the Thunder is equipped with control of essentially every Clippers’ first- round pick through 2026. Like the Celtics did earlier this decade, the Thunder will focus on making smart roster decisions and draft picks, and hope like heck that the Clippers have a few lottery finishes that yield high picks in the draft.
Core assets : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Chris Paul, 10 future first-round picks from other teams from 2020-26.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: Their record next season is irrelevant. SGA should lead the team in minutes and be handed the keys to the offense once the team trades CP3 and Gallinari to contenders at the trade deadline. Then let Presti do what he does best: draft stars (who will probably leave them someday).
Year they make the leap: 2022-23. I trust Presti to orchestrate a quick turnaround.

4)  CHICAGO BULLS

Rebuilding theme : The best defense is an elite offense. Chicago is a bit of an outlier in this group in that it has enough talent to make the playoffs this season. At the same time, that talent doesn’t project to be enough to contend as the Bulls lack a player with superstar potential. Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine and Coby White are or will be good offensive players. Otto Porter is a decent three-and-D wing. And Wendell Carter Jr. should be a good defensive player. Without more, they’ll top out as a No. 4 or 5 seed, but that could change with one superstar signing.
Core assets: Markkanen, Carter Jr., White, Porter, LaVine.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: An ideal season for the Bulls would involve Markkanen and Carter playing 70+ games and the team gaining valuable playoff experience -– even if that means playing the role of sacrificial lamb to the Bucks or 76ers.
Year they make the leap: 2021-2022. The free-agent class in 2021 is comparable to this past summer in terms of star talent potentially hitting the market. The Bulls must get to the point where they are “one star away from contending” by that point to be in the running for top free agents.

5) NEW YORK KNICKS

Rebuilding theme : Ponzi scheme -– just wait ‘til they land a big-time free agent in the summer of 2021! Despite losing out on the Zion Williamson sweepstakes, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker and every other superstar free agent, the Knicks still find themselves with intriguing talents RJ Barrett, Dennis Smith Jr. and Mitchell Robinson. None of them will become superstars, but they each have skills that could complement a superstar if the team ever signs or trades for one.
Core assets : Barrett, Smith Jr., Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle, Kevin Knox, two first-round picks from Dallas.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season : No checkpoints -– continue developing their young talent and accumulate more assets by trading veterans Marcus Morris, Taj Gibson and/or Bobby Portis to contenders at the trade deadline.
Year they make the leap : Whenever James Dolan no longer owns the team.

6) WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Rebuilding theme: Only way to go is up! The Wall-Beal era Wizards were never going to win a championship, but they absolutely had the talent to make the conference finals. Unfortunately, horrendous cap management, combined with Wall’s affinity for nightlife , subsequent Achilles injuries and unmovable max contract, brought Washington to rock bottom faster than anyone imagined. Fortunately, the Wizards have one of the more desirable and tradeable players in the league in Bradley Beal. After seeing the hauls teams got for Anthony Davis and Paul George, the Wizards could really jump-start their rebuild by dealing Beal and tanking this season.
Core assets : Beal, Thomas Bryant, Rui Hachimura.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: Winning less than 25 games and acquiring no less than three unprotected first-round picks (or the equivalent in young players) for Beal.
Year they make the leap: In lieu of an election-related joke, we’ll settle for 2023-24 -– the season after Wall’s contract expires.

7)  PHOENIX SUNS

Rebuilding theme : Ensuring that Devin Booker becomes the player with the most points to never appear in a playoff game (he has the ninth-most points). Instead of building a strong team culture grounded in continuity, the Suns are on their fifth coach since drafting Booker. Instead of emphasizing good habits, the Suns have elected to do juvenile things like foul the other team when they’re getting blown out so Booker can score more points. Instead of preaching defense, the Suns have finished no better than 28^th in the league in defensive rating since drafting Booker. Booker may hate double-teams in open gyms, but perhaps he should take notes on how other players slow their opponents.
Core players : Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Kelly Oubre Jr.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: Finish better than 15^th in the Western Conference.
Year they make the leap: The season we see a Ball Is Life mixtape of Booker making defensive plays. (In all seriousness, Booker is an incredible offensive talent and should demand a trade from this miserably run organization ASAP).

8) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Rebuilding theme : Go Browns! The Cavs' roster is pretty barren. The hope is that Darius Garland- Collin Sexton eventually develops into an Eastern Conference version of the Damian Lillard-CJ McCollum backcourt, but that’s a lot easier said than done. Kevin Porter Jr. was a nice home run swing at the end of the first round and the type of player who could develop into a star and shave years from a full rebuild.
Core assets : Garland, Sexton, Kevin Love, Porter Jr., Dylan Windler.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: Figure out whether Garland and Sexton can share a backcourt. Figure out whether it's worth investing time in Porter. Inflate Love’s stats and then trade him to a contender for anything you can get.
Year they make the leap: When LeBron returns for his third stint in Cleveland, after the Cavs reach for Bronny James in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

9) CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Rebuilding theme: The Hornets are rebuilding with the enthusiasm Adam Sandler displays in the movie Click  when he’s on fast-forward. Choosing to move on from Kemba Walker after not trading him these past two trade deadlines was gross incompetence on the part of Charlotte’s ownership (Michael Jordan) and front office. Now they’re a team without a plan or any legit assets to build around. The Hornets will struggle to be relevant for the foreseeable future.
Core assets : Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, Malik Monk.
Checkpoints for 2019-2020 season: Be in the best position to win the lottery.
Year they make the leap: Never… Unless Jordan Brand syncs up Zion Williamson’s shoe deal with his first unrestricted free agency. And then uses the shoe deal as a way to circumvent the salary cap and make Zion a deal he can’t refuse, and hide it under the guise of Zion returning home to North Carolina to save professional basketball there. Eh, you’re right, MJ would never come up with something that clever, but it’s a hell of an idea, right?