Building The Perfect Team Around Michael Jordan ($200 Million Budget)

Fadeaway World builds the perfect team around Michael Jordan, using only current NBA players and a salary cap of $200 million.

17 Min Read

Credit: Fadeaway World

The Chicago Bulls undisputedly have had the best player of all time, as Michael Jordan is the only superstar to deliver all 6 NBA titles for the franchise. Even with all their success historically, the Chicago Bulls have yet to make the NBA Finals since the superstar shooting guard hung up his shoes and retired. Michael won a ton of games and delivered 6 NBA championships with Scottie Pippen as his best teammate, but there is no doubt that there could be current players who might have been even better fits alongside the GOAT.

As a result, it would be interesting to see if the Bulls were not tied to any particular salary cap. Starting with the signing of superstar Michael Jordan, it is time to create the perfect Bulls team with a $200 million salary cap limit. It is important to note that as the leader of the team and the best player on the court, Michael Jordan’s salary will be considered $50 million. By choosing the best possible talent with the remaining salary cap after Michael Jordan, here is the NBAs perfect team around the greatest player of all time.

Rules:

1. Leader Of The Team: Michael Jordan

2. Maximum 2 Players From Any Team

3. Maximum 3 Rookie Players

4. Maximum $200 Million Salary Cap


Starting Lineup


Ja Morant – $12,119,440

Ja Morant

All-Star Ja Morant is the man to start at point guard for this $200 Million squad. Morant is one of the best scorers in the league and also one of the best floor generals in his position. His numbers are terrific this season, and he will be trusted to make the decision-making alongside the greatest scorer of all time.

Morant is averaging 28.2 PPG and 7.3 APG with the Grizzlies this season, and he will start an incredible starting five that will be able to shoot the ball and score every time on the fastbreak. The backcourt gets better, with potentially another All-Star joining him at the guard position.


Michael Jordan – $50,000,000

Michael Jordan

Leading the squad is the greatest offensive player of all time. Michael Jordan will be a sensational player for his side, dropping opponents with skillful moves and elite athleticism. Since he will be making $50,000,000, the team must be built with contract-friendly stars who can contribute immediately and also take backseat roles.

Jordan will often be tasked with scoring 30 PPG, but his defensive acumen will be required to shut down opposing guards. On his team, Michael will be the primary perimeter defender and will take matters into his own hands when it comes to stealing the ball, blocking shots, and playing lockdown defense.


Kevin Durant – $44,119,845

Kevin Durant

The Sim Reaper, Kevin Durant, will be a part of this unbelievable squad. Durant is one of the heads of a dominant starting lineup and the undisputed best player on the squad behind Michael Jordan. Durant does his thing on the perimeter, attracting all the pressure on him, which allows him to create shots for his All-Star teammates, Ja Morant and Jordan.

Durant will be the most impactful player because of his all-around game, which includes sharpshooting and playing defense. The former MVP will be the difference-maker in games and moments where Michael is being hounded by two or three defenders. Durant and Jordan on the same team will basically be overkill.


Zion Williamson – $13,534,817

Zion Williamson

As a rim-runner and explosive finisher, Zion Williamson will finish inside with Ja Morant feeding him the ball. The big man must start games because his ability to score in the post is second to none on his team right now. This season, Williamson is posting 23.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 4.3 APG on 59.5% shooting.

Playing on a side that features All-Stars Ja Morant, Michael Jordan, and Kevin Durant means Zion will have free roam to do whatever he wants on the court. An efficient rebounder as well, Zion will be required to crash the boards on a consistent basis even when bolstered by dominant inside presences, including Steven Adams and Andre Drummond.


Steven Adams – $17,926,829

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Steven Adams is the perfect center for this team, mainly because he is a perfect big man who can rebound and also defend the rim. That’s the identity he has in the league, and he does it well. Adams is averaging 7.9 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 1.0 BPG as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies this season, and there is no reason why he can’t put up these numbers again with Jordan’s $200 million squad.

Adams will have his share of easy looks inside and defensive plays on the other end when he plays with superstar teammates, so his worth on this team is particularly important. Even if the New Zealand national isn’t the most versatile offensive player, he will provide even coverage in the paint to be a difference-maker.


Bench


Tyrese Haliburton – $4,215,120

Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton is one of the best playmakers in the NBA right now, and at 6’5”, he has the height and length to make most passes on the court. This season, Tyrese is averaging 19.1 PPG and 10.9 APG for the impressive Indiana Pacers, who were supposed to be losing every game at the start of the year.

Haliburton will be a solid passer and scorer for the side alongside Michael Jordan and Ja Morant and could be placed in the starting lineup. The youngster is not the only talented guard to play on the side, which means he will have to make the most out of his time on the floor.


Tyrese Maxey – $2,726,880

Tyrese Maxey

Tyrese Maxey has been a key role player for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers have started the season as a strong team on paper after the acquisition of James Harden last year, but Tyrese Maxey has had a profound impact on the squad. He is averaging 22.9 PPG and 4.4 APG season and is truly one of the best-performing youngsters under the age of 23.

Maxey backs up Ja Morant at the point guard spot and will be an energizer bunny on both ends of the floor. He does not have the efficiency and playmaking abilities of Haliburton, but he provides a different sort of energy when it comes to attacking the rim and making plays for his teammates.


Anthony Edwards – $10,733,400

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Anthony Edwards is a very good player and will be an All-Star soon due to his dominant offensive play. Edwards is averaging 23.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.8 APG while shooting 46.2% from the field. Edwards’ offense is perfect for his role as the backup small forward in this team, which allows Durant to set the tone early.

Morant, Jordan, and Durant are three scorers and shooters that will help Anthony Edwards dominate opposing defenses with ease. In terms of raw athleticism, the Minnesota Timberwolves star is right up there with the best of his teammates and must use that to attack the basket as much as possible.


Herbert Jones – $1,785,000

Herbert

For a salary of under $2 million, sharpshooter and defensive wing Herb Jones will back up Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards in stretches. While he is still developing his two-way game at only 24 years old, we all know the talent that Jones has. He can score from the outside and has total confidence in his defensive game.

He is an excellent backup option because he can stretch the floor and play both the shooting guard and small forward spots with ease. A hustle-first player and a solid option for any team’s bench, Herbert Jones will be a very easy inclusion to a side that has a ton of offense and a need for more defensive wings.


Evan Mobley – $8,478,720

Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers have not been a good team for a few years, but athletic center Evan Mobley has helped kickstart an entirely different era for them. He is putting up 15.2 PPG and 9.2 RPG while shooting an amazing 56.9% from the field. His salary is perfect for this team, and he backs up Steven Adams as well.

Mobley is a unique player because, at only 21 years of age, he is crashing the boards well, blocking shots, and also showing an improved offensive game. The big man is already considered an above-average two-way player, and playing alongside Michael Jordan will only help his stock grow.


Patrick Williams – $7,775,400

Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams has the makings of a starter in today’s NBA. He is versatile and can be an excellent all-around player. He is still young, however, so he will be the third option at the small forward position behind other more talented players on his squad. Patrick is averaging 9.1 PPG and 3.9 RPG this season, and he made his presence known as a two-way player.

His confidence and aggressive mindset will be important when the team needs someone off the bench to score. Williams has not yet come close to reaching his potential, but he can still be a contributor who can provide offense in many ways and also defend inside and outside. Standing 6’7”, his athleticism and versatility are clearly needed.


Andre Drummond – $3,200,000

Andre Drummond

Drummond played very well last season, considering he barely got playing time, averaging 7.9 PPG and 9.3 RPG in 19.7 minutes of play so he gets the nod for this team. Drummond backs up Steven Adams and Evan Mobley by playing solid rim protection and offering a strong rebounding presence, so the team could do a lot worse than adding a veteran and multiple-time rebounding champion like Andre Drummond.

This season, Drummond is posting 6.8 PPG and 8.1 RPG in 14.7 MPG with the Chicago Bulls and is always a threat to crashing the boards and defending the rim. Michael Jordan could do a ton worse than having Drummond act as a third-string center to cover the paint.


Total Salary: $176,615,451

The starting lineup of this $200M team features Ja Morant, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson, and Steven Adams. In terms of offense, this team is complete, with Jordan and Durant being the go-to scorers, with Morant pulling the strings. Inside, Williamson and Adams bring size and dominance down low that cannot be matched by any other team right now. In terms of offense, this team is number one, and it isn’t close. Defensively, it is more of the same.

Jordan will be the primary defender in the starting lineup because he can bring the Defensive Player of the Year skills to the table against other elite offensive players. Morant is not the best defender, but he will hold his own with athleticism, and so will Durant. Durant is extremely long and athletic, so he will handle opposing forwards exceptionally well. Zion and Adams are two forceful figures, so scoring on them won’t be easy.

The bench is almost as good in combination when looking at Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Herbert Jones, Patrick Williams, Evan Mobley, and Andre Drummond. Jordan is the star of the show, make no mistake about that, but he will be relieved when the bench players come in to score and defend. Jordan will have a ton on his plate on the defensive end, so having energy and production will help lighten his load.

Clearly, this team would beat any of the NBA teams right now. Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant’s scoring and playmaking can allow them to open up the play for everyone else on the squad, so Ja Morant and Zion Williamson can dominate their respective matchups. This will be a fantastic backcourt that will have shooting, passing, and unbelievable leadership. Kevin Durant’s career 3-point percentage (38.3% 3-PT FG) will be critical in his team’s floor spacing while Zion dominates down low. This lineup might be the most unstoppable offensive crew ever.

This team literally has no weakness, with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Evan Mobley coming off the bench. This team would reach the Finals and probably win it all next season, and one can only imagine if there was a $200 million salary cap for a team that had the greatest player of all time in Michael Jordan on it.

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Eddie Bitar is a senior staff writer for Fadeaway World from Denver, Colorado. Since joining the team in 2017, Eddie has applied his academic background in economics and finance to enhance his sports journalism. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from and later a Master's degree in Finance, he integrates statistical analysis into his articles. This unique approach provides readers with a deeper understanding of basketball through the lens of financial and economic concepts. Eddie's work has not only been a staple at Fadeaway World but has also been featured in prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated. His ability to break down complex data and present it in an accessible way creates an engaging and informative way to visualize both individual and team statistics. From finding the top 3 point shooters of every NBA franchise to ranking players by cost per point, Eddie is constantly finding new angles to use historical data that other NBA analysts may be overlooking.
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