20 people around the NBA facing make-or-break seasons

The good news for Tyronn Lue is that nobody expects him to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals now that LeBron James has brought "Showtime" back to the Los Angeles Lakers. The bad news is that suggestions that King James, and not Lue, is the real head coach of the Cavs left with the three-time champion. Everybody associated with the Cavs discussing the matter wants the world to believe the franchise isn't tanking this season. Could missing the playoffs, if disaster strikes, cost Lue his job? 

The only way the Isaiah Thomas experiment with the Cleveland Cavaliers could have gone any worse is if Thomas would have literally punched LeBron James in the face during a game. After a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers did not find him a long-term home, the 29-year-old signed with the Denver Nuggets over the summer. Thomas underwent arthroscopic hip surgery in March, and he needs to show he isn't broken down and can play for more than half a campaign. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski ‏reported in August 2017 that Nerlens Noel rejected a four-year, $70 million contract from the Dallas Mavericks to pursue a larger deal this past summer. The 24-year-old then missed 42 games because of a torn ligament in his left thumb, and he was nothing special when on the court. In July, he signed a two-year minimum deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder that includes a player option for 2019-20, as explained by ESPN's Royce Young. Like with Thomas, Noel has to stay healthy for more than a few months if he is to even flirt with earning a massive payday next summer. 

As Brian Lewis of the New York Post wrote, the Brooklyn Nets seem content waiting to see what guard D'Angelo Russell will or won't be as he approaches restricted free agency following the upcoming season. After missing 19 games in 2016-17, arthroscopic knee surgery cost him 34 contests last year. Along with avoiding injury woes, Russell needs to shoot better from the field and decrease his turnovers per game (3.1) if he is going to be part of Brooklyn's future. 

Luke Walton is no longer part of a rebuild, as he's now coaching the league's top asset. All is fine and dandy with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of October. What happens when the inevitable drama and in-game glares from the sport's biggest personality begin? This is unquestionably the biggest challenge in the young career of a 38-year-old who was never hired to take on this type of responsibility in the first place. 

For starters, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Sam Dekker may want to avoid Tweeting personal opinions. With that out of the way, he's now on his third team in four years, and the 2015 first-round pick has disappointed on the offensive end of the court throughout his brief career. Make no mistake about the fact that Dekker's 2018-19 campaign is an audition for a franchise that could let him walk in July. 

In October 2017, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee suggested the Sacramento Kings would have to wait another season for a breakout year from Willie Cauley-Stein. The big man who turned 25 years old in August needs to deliver ahead of entering restricted free agency. In short, the 2015 first-round pick is running out of time to show he is anything more than an average player, at best, at the position. 

The Los Angeles Lakers rescinded their qualifying offer to forward Julius Randle after acquiring LeBron James, and the 23-year-old signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans in July that, like others, is really a one-year contract that includes an option. Covering for the loss of DeMarcus Cousins is one thing. Excelling in a system that should benefit his strengths and having a career year could lead to Randle winning Most Improved Player of the Year honors. 

Talent really isn't the issue regarding Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric, who did well to improve his three-point shooting from 31.1 percent in 2016-17 to 39.3 percent last season. The 24-year-old may be playing for his Philadelphia future, if he cares about such things, between October and February, especially if there is any validity behind rumors linking him as part of a trade package that could bring Jimmy Butler to the Sixers. His contract carries a club option for 2019-20, and that coupled with his skills could make him a valuable piece in a transaction. 

Perhaps Carmelo Anthony (more on him later) signing with the Houston Rockets will be addition by subtraction for the Oklahoma City Thunder and head coach Billy Donovan. You have Russell Westbrook, the returning Paul George, Steven Adams and Andre Roberson in the lineup. A first-round postseason exit shouldn't be acceptable for this team next spring, and questions should be asked of Donovan if he can't engineer a lengthy playoff run. 

In April, The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks wrote that the Indiana Pacers' future is directly linked with center Myles Turner. Rather than enjoying a breakout season, Turner's production dipped in multiple categories in 2017-18, and it's not far-fetched to suggest the Pacers could take calls about the 22-year-old headed toward restricted free agency if he isn't an All-Star come winter. Was last year a blip on the radar, or is now the time for the Pacers to sell? 

Twenty-six-year-old Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters played in only 76 games over the past two seasons because of injury problems. Waiters is signed through 2021, and the Heat aren't winning the title anytime soon. Reclaiming his shooting form from 2016-17, when he buried a career-best 39.5 percent of his three-point attempts, and a strong ankle is necessary if he wants to remain in South Beach past the trade deadline. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers can wait before extending a contract extension to forward Larry Nance Jr. even though he's a fan favorite. He hits restricted free agency next summer, he hasn't yet had a breakout year and the Cavs still don't know what he'll be as a starter without LeBron James on the floor. The 25-year-old is neither an elite shooter nor a top-tier rim protector. Giving him something to play for, if only for a few months, could be the best business decision for Cleveland. 

As NBA capologist Eric Pincus explained in August, only $50,000 of the supposed two-year deal given to Jahlil Okafor by the New Orleans Pelicans is guaranteed. That says plenty about Okafor's current NBA status. The third overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft is not only trying to avoid having the "bust" label attached to his reputation, but he's also attempting to remain in the Association past next spring. 

What's better: Trading Jimmy Butler and punting on 2018-19 or losing him to free agency next year? This is only one of the conundrums Minnesota Timberwolves coach and team president Tom Thibodeau faces this fall. As Haley O'Shaughnessy of The Ringer explained, Thibodeau bringing former Bulls to Minnesota is hardly a shock, knowing his history. It's a strategy that could significantly warm his seat if it blows up in his face. 

When will we see the first Lonzo Ball trade rumors of the LeBron James-Los Angeles Lakers marriage? Before Christmas? In late January? Next summer? They're coming, especially if the second-year guard underwhelms and/or a certain member of his family annoys the current King of Los Angeles in any way. 

Ever since his rookie year, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins has been accused of scoring "empty points" while not helping the franchise compete for anything of note. Per NBA.com, Jimmy Butler is among others who have reportedly questioned Wiggins' attitude. The 23-year-old will make over $140 million through 2023, according to Spotrac, but his future value diminishes with each lackluster and forgettable campaign. 

Like the previously mentioned Nerlens Noel, DeMarcus Cousins bet on himself by signing with the Golden State Warriors at a discount this past summer. Cousins is more talented, obviously, but there's no guarantee he'll be the same player when he returns to the floor, coming off the torn left Achilles he suffered last January. The 28-year-old has plenty to prove ahead of future negotiations. 

Recently, Dan Feldman of NBC Sports wrote why he believes some need to lower expectations for Carmelo Anthony ahead of Anthony's first season with the Houston Rockets. Fair or not, Anthony's retirement tour probably begins in 2019 if a Houston side that should have made (and won) the NBA Finals last year doesn't get any further this time around. The 34-year-old has earned a fortune, but one box on his resume remains unchecked. Realistically, this could be his last chance to win a ring. 

How can a former NBA Finals MVP who is only 27 years old be facing a make-or-break year? He can when he's Kawhi Leonard and on the verge of beginning a contract season (he has a player option for 2019-20) with the Toronto Raptors after a public and ugly falling-out with the San Antonio Spurs. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski , Leonard wants to sign with either the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers next summer. He has to earn that contract first.