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10 NBA Teams That Are Already Looking Ahead To 2015-16

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By @Greg_Sacidor

10 NBA Teams That Are Already Looking Ahead To 2015-16

Philadelphia 76ers
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The 2014-15 NBA season is just a few weeks old, but some teams are already looking towards the future. Here are 10 teams that are already looking ahead to 2015-16.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder Bench
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10. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder Bench
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Injuries to Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and countless others have left the Oklahoma City Thunder at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They may not be looking ahead just yet, but a few more losses and the Thunder will set their sights on 2015-16.

9. Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz
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9. Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz
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The Utah Jazz made headlines this season with wins over the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers, but outside of these two wins, there has been nothing to write home about. The Utah Jazz will attempt to remain competitive for as long as they can, but their sights will be fixed on next season when they will be ready to compete in the always tough Western Conference.

8. Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley
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8. Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley
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Things have not been going well for the Boston Celtics during the early parts of the 2014-15 season, resulting in a 3-6 start. With the season appearing to be going nowhere and major offseason decisions such as Rajon Rondo’s impending free agency looming, you can bet that the entire Celtics organization is looking ahead to the 2015-16 season.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves
Kim Klement - USA TODAY Sports

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves
Kim Klement - USA TODAY Sports

With an influx of young talent on the roster, the Minnesota Timberwolves had expectations of hanging around the Western Conference playoff picture for at least the first half of the season. But after guard Ricky Rubio went down with an ankle injury in early November, so did these expectations. The Timberwolves will continue to develop their young players such as Andrew Wiggins, but they are absolutely already looking forward to next season.

6. Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons
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6. Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons
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Stan Van Gundy was brought in during the offseason in hopes of turning the Detroit Pistons’ talent-laden roster into a playoff roster. But just like in years previous, the Pistons have continued to under-perform. After a 3-8 start and the players looking as disinterested as ever, the look ahead towards 2015-16 has already begun.

5. Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets
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5. Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets
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Rumors of coaches being fired and players being traded have already taken control of the Denver Nuggets’ 2014-15 season. With all of this turmoil already making headlines and a losing record on top of it, the Nuggets have nowhere else to look but towards the 2015-16 season.

4. Indiana Pacers

Paul George Team USA Showcase
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4. Indiana Pacers

Paul George Team USA Showcase
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The 2014-15 season has been highlighted by signature wins over the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls. But no matter who they beat, or what their record is, the Indiana Pacers have been looking forward to 2015-16 since Paul George broke his leg this summer with Team USA. Along with the injury, the Pacers have key players with expiring contracts. These issues have forced the Pacers to already look towards the future earlier than they may have liked.

3. New York Knicks

Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher
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3. New York Knicks

Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher
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When Phil Jackson took over as president of the New York Knicks, the rebirth of this once illustrious franchise began. Already, Jackson has signed his coach and his superstar; all that is left is for him to fill out the roster with other guys he wants. With the team off to a slow start and trade rumors swirling, Jackson and company are ready to forget 2014-15 and prepped for 2015-16.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
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2. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
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What do you get when you have a 1-9 record, a first-round pick break his leg 14 minutes into the year and an aging superstar averaging a league-high 24.4 shots per game? Answer: the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite Nick Young returning soon from injury soon, the Lakers are a sinking ship. Even their No. 1 fan, Jack Nicholson, can hardly watch. 2014-15 is over for the Lakers, which means that they are looking ahead to brighter things in 2015-16.

1. Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers Draft Picks Press Conference
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1. Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers Draft Picks Press Conference
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The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t looking ahead to 2015-16, 2016-17 or maybe even 2017-18. A franchise that was once synonymous with success is now synonymous with waiting. An 0-10 start, a roster full of D-League talent, players sitting out due to injury and contracts overseas doesn't seem to bother the 76ers a bit. With a plan in place to stockpile talent for as long as they can, the 76ers have given up on this season and even the next few.

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