New Orleans is obviously ready to compete, especially if Zion can stay healthy. Still good draft capital, but their own picks will be out of the lottery and the 3 pick swaps aren't likely to mean much. Capped out with luxury tax worries on the horizon.

OKC has a roster loaded with promising young players, but only one of those has already arrived. Do they run with the young kids for another year, add another lottery pick next year, then try to make a key acquisition using the cap space? Or just fill in that cap space with extensions on their young players and keep building through the draft with their embarrassment of future first rounders?

OKC
Current young players signed for 2+ years: SGA, Giddey, Poku, Tre Mann, Maledon

Current young players signed for 1 year: Dort, Bazley, Kenrich Williams

Payroll: Assuming team just rolls one more year with young core, would have max cap space next off-season

Draft picks: Holmgren, Dieng, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams

Future draft picks: Own all of their own 1st round picks + 8 future firsts + 2 first round pick swaps (2023 LAC, 2025 Houston)

New Orleans
Current core players signs for 2+ years: Ingram, McCollum, Zion, Valanciunas, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy

Players signed for 1 year: Nance, Hayes

Payroll: Just under luxury tax next year, way over after Zion extension following season

Draft picks: Dyson Daniels, EJ Liddell

Future draft picks: Own all of their own 1st round picks + 3 first round picks + 3 first round pick swaps (2023 Lakers, 2024 Bucks, 2026 Bucks)