Upsyde Blog

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: BEST FREE AGENT FITS FOR DALLAS MAVERICKS: 1. JALEN BRUNSON - SG - $18-20M/YEAR - In games without Luka Doncic, Brunson is averaging 20.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 7.5 APG, with 49/35/81 splits. There are only 4 guards in the entire NBA that averaged more than 20 points and 7 assists per game with 45% or higher field goal percentage - Garland, Trae, Luka, and Dejounte - all 4 made the All-Star team this year. Brunson is probably the best fit to pair alongside Luka Doncic. He is a high-IQ player, they can play off of each other, he defends larger than he is, and has excellent chemistry with the team. He will be highly coveted this summer, so the Mavericks will have to open up the piggybank to secure him. The Mavericks desperately need help in the paint, but Brunson should and will be the #1 priority this summer. With the Mavericks holding his Bird Rights, they can offer him the most lucrative salary as well. 2. DEANDRE AYTON - C - $25+M/YEAR - This would require a lot of cap...

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: 3 BLOCKBUSTER TRADES: With the impending off-seasons, many of us are already thinking about next year. While some teams like Boston and Dallas are emerging as surprising contenders, other teams like Philly and Phoenix are stunned at their eliminations. This article will outline 3 blockbuster trades that make sense for all parties involved. They all involve super star players and they all seek to remedy issues and weaknesses of all teams. 1. BANANA BOAT BROTHERS: PHOENIX SUNS RECEIVE: Alec Burks, Evan Fournier, Talen Horton-Tucker, 2027 1st Round (via Lakers) LOS ANGELES LAKERS RECEIVE: Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Torrey Craig NEW YORK KNICKS RECEIVE: Russell Westbrook In this scenario, Phoenix moves on from Chris Paul. After imploding in several playoff series', Chris Paul becomes a major two-way upgrade over Russell Westbrook in LA. The narrative of CP3 to LA after the veto earlier in his career will be a headline grabber for sure. Phoenix receives several ea...

  UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: MOCK DRAFT 1.0: 1. HOUSTON ROCKETS: JABARI SMITH JR - They go with the best prospect in this draft. Chet Holgrem is a per-minute machine, but his slight frame and the fact that Smith is over a full year younger edge the Rockets toward a player with a better fit. It would not surprise me to see them move Christian Wood with this addition, as they would likely want to give more playing time to their blossoming young center, Alperen Sengun. Having both Chet and Alperen on the roster might be too much overlap, where Smith can get work at the 4 and would play more of an Al Horford type role, rather than a true center in the NBA. 2. ORLANDO MAGIC: PAOLO BANCHERO - The Magic might be too traumatized from their selection of Mo Bamba to draft Chet as well. Banchero is no slouch and can play both positions. Both Mo Bamba and Robin Lopez are on expiring contracts, so the Magic will draft him or Chet regardless if they are in this spot. WCJ is in a long-term deal, so ...