written by Tal Cohen, Yaniv Horenstein, and Leo Schulhof
15. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Offseason Acquisitions: Victor Wembanyama, Cedi Osman, Reggie Bullock
X-Factor: Devin Vassell; Head Coach: Greg Popovich
The San Antonio Spurs may as well relocate to Las Vegas with how lucky they were in the draft lottery, landing Victor Wembanyama with the 1st pick; the most coveted prospect to come through the draft since Lebron James in 2003. The Spurs are landing a generational player with a hall-of-fame ceiling, championship aspirations, and the hopes of becoming the face of the Spurs franchise. However, don’t expect Wemby’s impact on the floor to translate to wins just yet. The Spurs have a long way to go before they contend for a championship, let alone a playoff spot. They went all-in on their young core in the draft and doubled down by signing 23-year-old former lottery pick, Devin Vassell, to a substantial $146 million contract.
From top to bottom, their roster is full of young talent. While their offense will primarily run through Wemby, the pieces around him are equally important. Their lineup will feature second-year player, Jeremy Sochan, along with Keldon Johnson, who was the leading scorer last year with 22 points per game. Tre Jones will be a facilitator of the offense, after leading their team in assists last year. The Spurs with Wemby’s hall-of-fame potential, Vassell’s shooting, Johnson’s downhill attack, and Sochan’s Rodman-like approach to the game, will undoubtably be an exciting team to watch this year.
14. HOUSTON ROCKETS
Offseason Acquisitions: Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore
X-Factor: Jabari Smith Jr.; Head Coach: Ime Udoka
The Houston Rockets made substantial moves this off-season, after hiring new head coach, Ime Udoka, in the early summer. Udoka and the Houston front office transformed their team by signing arguably the biggest free agent of the summer, Fred VanVleet, to a contract worth almost $130 million. The Rockets also paid $80 million to University of Oregon alumni, Dillon Brooks, who is coming off a controversial season on the Grizzlies. The Rockets also added through the draft, picking Amen Thompson with the 4th pick, and Cam Whitmore who was a projected top-10 pick slid to the 20th pick.
These offseason acquisitions add to the young core in Houston, headlined by the 2nd pick of the 2021 draft, Jalen Green, and 2022’s 3rd pick, Jabari Smith Jr. Both players struggled with efficiency last season and averaged the two worst field goal percentages on the team for players that appeared in at least 8 games. On the other hand, their 21-year center, Alperen Sengun, had a terrific season, averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in under 30 minutes. The big man will be looking for even more action this year with hopes of being a top-tier center in the league. Will this be enough to help Houston contend for a playoff berth in the 2023-24 season? The simple answer is no. The competition in the Western Conference is far too grueling for a team of young players with untapped potential to stake their claim amongst the established contenders in the league. However, with the right coaching and player development, this Rockets squad could be scary within a few years.
13. UTAH JAZZ
Offseason Acquisitions: John Collins, Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George
X-Factor: John Collins; Head Coach: Will Hardy
The Utah Jazz are still in the middle of a rebuild and added some new pieces to improve the direction of the team. The Jazz used their top-10 pick to draft 6’10 forward, Taylor Hendricks from UCF. Later that week, they traded for 6-year veteran forward, John Collins, from the Atlanta Hawks, who averaged 13 points and 7 boards last season. Collins didn’t seem to fit with the Hawks, seeing his scoring average decrease in 4 consecutive seasons. He will slide into Utah's starting lineup alongside the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year, Lauri Markkanen, who led the Jazz last year in points and rebounds and earned himself his first all-star appearance. Utah’s other pieces include Walker Kessler, who played for USA Basketball in the FIBA World Cup this summer, and Collin Sexton, the sixth-year guard who's still looking to find his way in the league. Kessler’s defensive presence in the paint, along with Sexton’s speed and downhill attack should fit nicely next to Markkanen.
Utah's current roster won’t be enough to contend with the rest of the Western Conference. With that being said, there should be high expectations for Lauri Markkanen and the young core to compete at a high level and try to make it into a play-in spot.
12. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Offseason Acquisitions: Scoot Henderson, Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, Malcom Brogdon, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara
X-Factor: Scoot Henderson; Head Coach: Chauncey Billups
The Blazers had one of the biggest off-seasons of the summer, trading away the face of their franchise Damian Lillard, and kicking off a rebuild in the draft, selecting G-League rising star, Scoot Henderson with the 3rd pick in the draft. Portland got back an excellent return for Dame, landing Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, Malcom Brogdon, Toumani Camara, and a total of 4 first round picks. Like the Jazz and the Rockets, the Blazers have a promising young squad with veteran leadership in players like Jerami Grant, Malcom Brogdon, and Matisse Thybulle.
There are high expectations for 24-year-old Anfernee Simons to be the number one option on offense, after having the best season of his career in which he averaged a career high in points, assists, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage. With Dame out of the picture, the Blazers will look to get more shots for all their young guards; Anfernee, Scoot, and top-10 pick, Shaedon Sharpe, who’s looking to expand his role in his second year. The newly acquired former #1 pick, Deandre Ayton, will be a key piece to this Blazers team. The 25-year-old center fits nicely into a high paced offense and will look to dominate the paint on both sides of the floor. There is hope for contention in the future, but as of right now, the Blazers will likely have to endure another season amongst the lottery teams as they wait for players like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe to develop into all-star caliber players and beyond.
11. OKLAHOMA-CITY THUNDER
Offseason Acquisitions: Victor Oladipo, Vasilije Micic, Cason Wallace
X-Factor: Chet Holmgren; Head Coach: Mark Daigneault
The young OKC Thunder squad surprised a lot of people last year with their subtle success in a loaded Western Conference. This is largely due to the breakout year that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had, emerging as a 30+ points per game scorer as a 24-year-old guard. Last season also highlighted the continued development of other young players on the roster, including Josh Giddey and Jaylen Williams. Giddey solidified himself as a solid #2 option, leading the team in rebounds and assists. Williams had arguably the most surprising rookie campaign, in which he worked his way into the starting lineup and averaged over 14 points and 4 boards a game.
The most important addition to OKC’s roster isn’t a new player. Chet Holmgren, 2nd pick in the 2022 draft, missed all last season with a right foot injury. His presence on the team this year will give OKC much needed depth at the center position and provide them with an athletic big man who has offensive versality and a strong defensive presence. Their ranking amongst western conference teams unfortunately doesn’t reflect how good this team could be in the upcoming season, seeing as the West is stacked with star-studded rosters. The development of OKC’s young core isn’t something to brush to the side, but will it be enough for this young team to reach the playoffs? Maybe, but we wouldn’t bet on it.
10. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Offseason Acquisitions: Grant Williams, Derrick Lively II, Seth Curry, Dante Exum, Richaun Holmes, Olivier Maxence-Prosper
X-Factor: Grant Williams; Head Coach: Jason Kidd
The Dallas Mavericks didn’t do much this summer to build around their superstar backcourt in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The all-star duo that together averaged 60 points, 14 assists, and 14 boards a game, gives this team the edge over the other lottery teams fighting for a play-in spot, but the supporting cast is a bit underwhelming.
The rest of the Mavs lineup will likely feature newly acquired, Grant Williams, who will pick up the slack defensively for what the backcourt lacks, and Josh Green, who’s looking to carry more of the scoring load, after an impressive last season. Veteran Dwight Powell, and rookie Derek Lively II, selected with the 12th pick in the draft, will be the Mavericks big men and fill a dire need for a Mavs team that finished last in rebounds per game last season.
Dallas has some wildcards in Jaden Hardy, 2nd year guard who scored 9 points a game and shot 40% from 3 in his rookie season, and Olivier- Maxence Prosper, taken in the first round from Marquette. Prosper is 6’8, has a 7’1 wingspan, and has been credited with an elite defensive ability.
Dallas’ marginal moves this offseason has led to a pessimistic outlook for this season. Luka and Kyrie must rack up enough wins from their unbelievable offense to give this team a playoff berth.
9. GOLDEN-STATE WARRIORS
Offseason Acquisitions: Chris Paul, Dario Saric
X-Factor: Klay Thompson; Head Coach: Steve Kerr
The Warriors continue to bank on their aging core, hoping to prolong their dynastic run. The resignation of General Manager Bob Meyers is a crushing loss to the franchise. The mastermind behind four championship rosters hired his protégé, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and in his first official move, he traded 24-year-old rising star, Jordan Poole, for 38-year-old Chris Paul. Poole became a locker-room problem for the Warriors after the infamous fight with Draymond Green. While it isn’t surprising to see the Warriors part ways with Jordan Poole, there was an initial shock after they traded for an aging point guard which was already the deepest position on the roster. Besides the blockbuster trade, Golden State has stayed relatively quiet. They lost Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green and replaced them with more veterans in Cory Joseph and Dario Saric. Clearly, after coaching the FIBA World Cup this summer, Steve Kerr is tired of the young players.
A lot of the Warriors' success will be determined by the level of play they receive from Klay Thompson. Thompson had a significant drop in play, shooting under 40% from three for the first time in his career. Thompson also shot a measly 42% from the field, with a drop in defensive production as well. If he can play like the all-star he is claiming to be, defenses around the league will have a hard time keeping up with the guard-heavy Warriors lineup. Meanwhile, his splash brother, Stephen Curry, continued to prove why he is the greatest shooter of all time, arguably having his best season since he won back-to-back MVPs. The Warrior’s lack of depth at the center creates a huge concern, especially come playoff time. Besides Kevon Looney who is one of the best rebounders in the NBA, the only other player that can play center is Draymond Green who will miss the first 2 weeks of the season. The Warriors will need to rely on their young draft picks, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, to show huge signs of growth for the Warriors to have any hopes of competing for a championship.
8. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Offseason Acquisitions: Marcus Smart, Isaiah Todd, Josh Christopher
X-Factor: Marcus Smart; Head Coach: Taylor Jenkins
Despite finishing the 2022-23 season as a convincing two-seed, this upcoming Grizzlies season is headlined by Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension, and the effect it will have on the team’s overall success. Memphis has proven they can win without Morant, going 11-10 in games without him last season. There is a plethora of star-caliber players on the Grizzlies roster, starting with reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr., who led the league in blocks last season while also putting up nearly 20 points a game. JJJ won’t be the only DPOY on the team, as the Grizzlies acquired Marcus Smart from the Celtics early in the offseason, to directly address their point guard needs. This stout defensive front will be led by Desmond Bane, likely the number-one scoring option for the Grizzlies while Morant is out. Bane shot the ball very efficiently last year and posted career-high averages in points, rebounds, and assists.
The role players on Memphis will be the key to their season. Without center Steven Adams, who was ruled out for a season after undergoing knee surgery, Memphis must be able to trust their depth. Young players like David Roddy and Santi Aldama are looking to fill bigger roles and are surrounded with the veteran presence of guys like Derrick Rose and Luke Kennard. Memphis should be considered a lock to at least make the play-in, but their success depends on their role players stepping up.
7. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Offseason Acquisitions: Kenyon Martin Jr., Joshua Primo
X-Factor: Kawhi Leonard; Head Coach: Tyron Lue
The Clippers are running it back, entering their 5th season with one of the NBA’s best one-two punches in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George when healthy. Their specialty is their excellence as two-way players, having combined for 13 all-star appearances and 11 all-defensive teams. Through 4 seasons, PG and Kawhi have been on the court together for only 113 games, in which the Clippers went 83-35. The 2 stars staying on the court will be the key to the Clipper’s success this season.
L.A. had a quiet offseason after their first round exit last year. They did, however, resign Russell Westbrook on a great value, 2-year, $8 million contract. Westbrook proved his worth in last year’s first round against the Suns. In 5 games, the 34-year-old averaged 24 points, 8 boards, and 7 dimes. Westbrook fills the need for a facilitator on offense, after the team finished 24th in assists last season. The center rotation will feature Ivica Zubac and Mason Plumlee. Zubac, entering his 6th season in L.A., averaged a double-double in 29 minutes last season. The rest of the role players in L.A. like Norman Powell, Terrance Mann, and Robert Covington, need to be ready to fill in when the Clippers face their inevitable absences.
There were discussions about the Clippers trading for James Harden, but negotiations fell through after L.A. was unwilling to include Mann in trade talks, so they may be expecting a big step up for the former second round pick entering his 5th season.
The Clippers are facing a bit of pressure with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both having player options next summer. L.A. must show they are in contention to win it all this season if they want to keep ‘The Claw’ in Los Angeles.
6. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Offseason Acquisitions: Troy Brown, Shake Milton,
X-Factor: Karl Anthony-Towns; Head Coach: Chris Finch
The Minnesota Timberwolves may have the best roster their franchise has seen since the Garnett era. Their squad is loaded with talent at all positions, starting with Anthony Edwards, who will look to have an all-NBA season. Edwards was by far the best player on the USA FIBA World Cup team, after taking a big step forward last season, averaging career highs across the board. Surrounding Ant, the T-Wolves will run it back with their expensive front court Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. This duo struggled in their first year together, both averaging fewer points, rebounds, and blocks. This year, KAT must give Gobert room in the paint by relying on his 3-point shot to space the floor. After missing 54 games last season, KAT was unable to get in rhythm and shot the 3-ball at the worst percentage since his rookie year. However, KAT is more than capable of a bounce-back season, and the more time Gobert and KAT spend on the floor together, the more comfortable with each other's games they’ll be.
Minnesota's valuable role players are what makes their team special. Mike Conley will run the point, adding a much-needed veteran presence to the locker room, and Jaden McDaniels will fill the last starter spot, and has become one of the league's best on-ball defenders. Minnesota has a good bench, headlined by Naz Reid, arguably one of the best backup centers in the league, and ‘Slow-Mo’ Kyle Anderson, who facilitates well and plays astounding defense. This Timberwolves roster will look to win its first playoff series in 20 years.
5. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Offseason Acquisitions: Chris Duarte, JaVale McGee
X-Factor: Davion Mitchell; Head Coach: Alvin Gentry
The Sacramento Kings have decided to run it back after making the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006. Despite being the third seed, the Kings were eliminated in the first round after a thrilling seven-game series against the Warriors. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are coming off All-Star seasons and hope to elevate their chemistry with another season under their belt. The King's biggest move of the off-season was re-signing Harrison Barnes to a 3-year, $54 million deal. Barnes was a big reason why the Kings lost to the Warriors due to his 3-point shooting struggles --- especially in the clutch.
The Kings have a strong bench led by Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter; two amazing acquisitions from the previous season who have found themselves a home in Beam Town. Rounding out their bench, they have lockdown defender Davion Mitchell, UO Alumni Chris Duarte, and veteran center Javale McGee who was a crucial addition to relieve some of the defensive pressure for Sabonis. Keegan Murray impressed on both sides of the ball his rookie season proving he has a very promising future in the NBA. The top 5 pick in the 2022 draft shot 41% from three and will need to deepen his offensive bag for the Kings to be true contenders.
4. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Offseason Acquisitions: Jordan Hawkins
X-Factor: Zion Williamson; Head Coach: Willie Green
The Pelicans have already shown that when healthy, they can contend for a championship. Pelicans GM David Griffin has built one of the most complete rosters in the league and is hoping it translates to his first playoff series win as the head of the Pels front office. The center piece on their loaded squad is none other than Zion Williamson, the 23-year-old, 2-time all-star. Zion has played 114 games in 4 seasons in the league, so his health has been keeping the Pelicans from reaching their true potential. New Orleans has other stars; Brandon Ingram, who averaged a career high 24.7 points a game last season,and C.J. McCollum, entering his 11th season in the league.
The Pelicans had a solid defense last season, finishing 2nd in steals. Their perimeter defense is led by Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Jose Alvarado, who each averaged over a steal a game. Murphy will unfortunately miss the beginning of the season with a torn meniscus, but he showed big promise last year after shooting the 3-ball at 40%, and improving his scoring average by 9 points. The competition in the West will be tough, but the Pelicans depth around their star power gives fans hope of making a run in late April.
3. PHOENIX SUNS
Offseason Acquisitions: Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon, Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Grayson Allen, Yuta Watanabe, Keita Bates-Diop, Bol Bol
X-Factor: Jusuf Nurkic; Head Coach: Frank Vogel
The Phoenix Suns front office had themselves a summer, making some major moves to their roster during the offseason. The most notable acquisition was of course, 3x all-star Bradley Beal, who is closing out his 11-year stint with the Wizards. Beal is by far going to be the best third option in the NBA, behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but he may have to fill the point guard role at times with no true PG in the starting lineup.
Phoenix’s star power will lead them through the season. Durant, Booker, and Beal are three of the league's best scorers. Pheonix will be testing out a new center, Jusuf Nurkic, who they acquired for Deandre Ayton, the number 1 pick in the 2018 draft in a trade with Portland. In his 7 seasons in Portland, Nurkic averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds, showing signs of being a solid rim protector and playmaker. However, he was inconsistent on both ends of the floor, and battled through many injuries, missing 91 games over the course of 3 seasons.
The question that surrounds the team will be their depth. Their bench will consist of Grayson Allen, Yuta Watanabe, Eric Gordon, and Drew Eubanks. With every single one of these players entering their first season in Phoenix, it may take some time for them to gel. It’s also worth acknowledging the wildcards in Phoenix. University of Oregon alumni, Bol Bol, signed with Phoenix this offseason, and in limited play has showcased his talent as a 7-footer with ball-handling ability. Other young players like Keita Bates-Diop and Chimezie Metu will look to develop their games and will be viable options to fill the rotation when needed.
2. DENVER NUGGETS
Offseason Acquisitions: Justin Holiday,
X-Factor: Christian Braun; Head Coach: Mike Malone
From an outsider's perspective, it seems Nuggets General Manager, Calvin Booth, spent as much time in his office as Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic, spent in the gym this offseason. The reigning NBA Champions are relying on their big 3 to get them back to the promised land after losing a lot of their depth this offseason. Jamal Murray averaged 20 points per game in his first season back after missing 18 months with a torn ACL. While he had a slower start to the season, Murray blossomed into the superstar-caliber point guard the Nuggets needed come playoff time. After solidifying himself as a top point guard in the league, Murray is hoping to land his first All-Star selection this year.
Letting their 6th man Bruce Brown walk away is a detrimental loss to the Nugget's bench. Christian Braun will have to take a huge step up in his second season, and Reggie Jackson will likely have a larger role with the team this year. Besides a washed DeAndre Jordan, the Nuggets severely lack depth in big men off their bench. Thankfully, they have the best center in the NBA with Nikola Jokic looking to have another MVP-like season. Jokic is arguably the best player in the league, and his performances last season proved that Denver is the team to beat in the West.
1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Offseason Acquisitions: Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish, Jalen Hood-Schifino
X-Factor: D’Angelo Russel; Head Coach: Darvin Ham
The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling out a roster that may be better than their 2020 championship team. The biggest part of their offseason was resigning the core pieces on their team. The Lakers signed a 4-year, $56 million deal with returning guard Austin Reeves, who had a breakout season that was capped off with a 16-game playoff run in which he averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. They also re-signed Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell, whose scoring is vital to the Lakers offense.
The Lakers transformed their bench this offseason which was a need that was identified in their series against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Dennis Schroeder, Troy Brown, and Lonnie Walker are out, and in come Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes. This roster turnover gives the Lakers arguably the best depth in the NBA, hence the belief in their title chances this year.
It’s impossible to talk about the Lakers without discussing their superstar duo in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LeBron enters his 21st season in the NBA, officially becoming the oldest player in the league. The 38-year-old has shown no sign of weakness, putting up nearly 30 points a game last season. However, even LeBron has admitted the team must be led by Anthony Davis. The 8-time all-star and 3-time block champion are looking to have an MVP-like season, having come off a season where he averaged a career-high in rebounds and field goal percentage. The two stars will look to put the Lakers back on top, and they have the supporting cast to do just that.
Eastern Conference15. CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Offseason Acquisitions: Brandon Miller, Nick Smith Jr.
X-Factor: Miles Bridges; Head Coach: Steve Clifford
The Charlotte Hornets franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since 2002, and this year won’t be any different. The Hornets have been rebuilding since they parted ways with Kemba Walker in 2019, and got a stroke of luck this summer, landing the second pick in this year's draft, and selecting Brandon Miller. Miller was the SEC Player of the Year, and averaged 18 points, 8 boards, a steal, and a block for the Crimson Tide. Charlotte adds Miller to a young roster, led by Lamelo Ball. The injury-prone point guard led the team in points and assists, but only played 36 games. If healthy, Ball could easily have an all-star season this year, but even with him on the court, the Hornets are a few pieces away from competing for a playoff spot.
Charlotte’s shortcomings on the court have recently been outshined by their off-the-court issues. Former first-round pick, Kai Jones, was recently waived from the team after inappropriate behavior was posted on his social media. Miles Bridges, who missed last season due to domestic violence charges, signed back with the team this summer but was once again issued an arrest warrant for an alleged protection order violation stemming from the same domestic violence case.
The Hornets need a fresh start. Their first step started with a change in leadership this summer after Michael Jordan ended his 13-year run as owner. Charlotte has some promising young players on this roster, including some talented big men like P.J. Washington, Mark Williams, and Nick Richards. But it’ll take a lot of time and development before the Hornets find themselves competing for something other than a lottery spot.
14. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Offseason Acquisitions: Jordan Poole, Tyus Jones, Bilal Coulibaly, Mike Muscala, Danilo Gallinari,
X-Factor: Jordan Poole; Head Coach: Wes Unseld Jr.
The Washington Wizards hired Will Dawkins as their new General Manager in June, in hopes of reshaping a program that has been below average for the better part of two decades. Dawkins wasted no time by trading their franchise player, Bradley Beal, to the Phoenix Suns for 38-year-old Chris Paul, and a bunch of draft capital. They then flipped the aging point guard, for Jordan Poole, a 24-year-old NBA champion who is looking for a fresh start after an infamous departure from the Golden State Warriors. Poole is an offensive wizard with the ball, and hoping to prove he can handle the responsibilities of being a top 2 scorer on the team with Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma is coming off the best season of his career where he averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds. The Wizards are hoping Kuzma will take an even bigger step this year as the number one option and team veteran.
Another huge move for Dawkins was letting go of 7-foot center, Kristaps Porzingis, in a 3-team trade with Boston and Memphis. In return the Wizards received: Tyus Jones, a guard with a promising future; Danilo Gallinari, a veteran forward providing bench depth; Mike Muscala, likely a benchwarmer; and a second-round pick. The Wizards also signed Deni Avdia to a 4-year, $55 million extension who has shown tremendous growth on the defensive side off the ball and hopes to continue developing a deeper offensive bag. Wizard’s fans need to continue being patient as they likely will not be good in the near future, but Will Dawkins is slowly turning the franchise around to get Washington back to a point of relevancy.
13. ORLANDO MAGIC
Offseason Acquisitions: Anthony Black, Jett Howard, Joe Ingles
X-Factor: Markelle Fultz; Head Coach: Jamahl Mosely
The Orlando Magic have one of the most exciting young cores in the league, headlined by the 2022 1st overall pick, Paolo Banchero. Last season's Rookie of the Year averaged 20 points, 7 boards, and 4 assists per game. While the Magic were far from playoff consideration, their talent was showcased during the season by performances from Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter. The two players in their early 20’s have shown they can be valuable assets to the Magic’s starting lineup.
Orlando has an abundance of talented young guards who are looking to seize opportunities on the court. Markelle Fultz, former 1st pick in 2017, will likely get the start, next to Jalen Suggs who was a lottery pick in 2021 that has not yet panned out. Cole Anthony will play valuable minutes leading the second unit like he did last year when he averaged 13 points and 4 assists a game. The Magic are going to be yet another team that will have fluctuating win percentages during the season due to the inexperience and inconsistency of their young players, but they should be exciting to watch.
12. DETROIT PISTONS
Offseason Acquisitions: Monte Morris, Joe Harris
X-Factor: Jaden Ivy; Head Coach: Monty Williams
The Detroit Pistons are another team out in the East with a young core and a bright future, punctuated by the up-and-coming star Cade Cunningham, who is returning to the starting lineup after missing much of the season last year. In turn, this will be the first full season in which the Pistons can showcase their young backcourt with Cade playing alongside Jaden Ivey, the 5th pick in the 2022 draft. The Pistons have a few young big men that will be fighting for minutes this year. Jalen Duren will get the start after posting 19 double-doubles last season as a 19-year-old. James Wiseman and Marvin Bagley III, both the 2nd picks in their respective drafts, will come off the bench.
The Pistons roster will feature yet another top-5 pick, Ausar Thompson, who was acquired in this year’s draft. Thompson played with his twin brother, Amen, for Overtime Elite, and has shown the ability to play and defend positions 1-3. Detroit added a couple of veterans to their squad in Alec Burks and Monte Morris. Both have shown they can play valuable minutes in the league, but they are not necessarily difference-makers. The Pistons lack the veteran presence on their roster that will send this young core over the top. However, hiring Monty Williams as Head Coach is the best decision they could have made for developing their young players. Until Detroit lands this established, tenured player, don’t expect this team to contend for a playoff spot. Detroit this season should be concerned with building chemistry with the young core that they have now—and who knows, with a few years of experience under their belt, and Cade Cunningham fulfilling his star potential that made him the 1st pick in 2021, the Pistons could have what they need to compete for a title.
11. CHICAGO BULLS
Offseason Acquisitions: Jevon Carter
X-Factor: Patrick Williams; Head Coach: Billy Donovan
The Chicago Bulls are one of the most directionless teams in the NBA. After a confusingly complacent offseason where they only acquired Jevon Carter, the Chicago Bulls remain in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference rankings. In 2021, the Bulls had one of the busiest off-season's signing DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic (via trade), and Alex Caruso to pair with their young superstar Zach Lavine. What seemed like a perfectly crafted roster at the time, quickly took a turn for the worse as a freak knee injury to Lonzo Ball resulted in him missing all of last season and there are concerns he may never play again. Ball was the centerpiece of a fast-paced offense as the main facilitator and best defender. His absence has truly been felt by the team as the Bulls are now one of the worst defensive teams in the league and were ranked 18th in pace last season.
Relying on the offensive skillset of Zach Lavine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic may not be enough to make the playoffs in the NBA. Coby White and Patrick Williams haven’t developed into the players that the Bulls organization hoped they would but will have another season to prove they can be key contributors to a winning roster. Andre Drummond is a solid backup center who at times has proven to be one of the best rebounders in the NBA but is nowhere near the player he was on the Pistons 6 years ago. As the team is now, they will be fighting for a play-in spot, but keep an eye out for a trade at the deadline that could give Bulls fans a better sense of what direction they are headed in.
10. BROOKLYN NETS
Offseason Acquisitions: Darius Bazley, Dennis Smith Jr.
X-Factor: Ben Simmons; Head Coach: Jacque Vaughn
Assessing the potential of this Brooklyn squad poses a challenge, given the significant overhaul they underwent in the past year. What was once a team boasting superstar talent is now a squad led by young stars with big potential. The arrival of Mikal Bridges from the Phoenix Suns marked a new chapter in Brooklyn, demonstrating, towards the end of the season, his capacity to shine as a legitimate star and a potential successor to Kevin Durant. With the Nets, Mikal averaged 26 points in 27 games, improving on his scoring average with Pheonix by 9 points. The extent, however, of his capabilities during a full season remains uncertain. Last year also featured a breakout year from young center, Nic Claxton, who cemented himself as one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA, averaging 2.5 blocks per game. Claxton can run the floor with this young Nets squad and be the lob threat and rim protector they must have to win games.
The role players in Brooklyn include Spencer Dinwiddie, the veteran guard who is making his 2nd stint with Brooklyn after returning in the Kyrie trade, and Cameron Johnson, who is aiming to have a breakthrough season as the starting power forward. The upcoming season also holds particular significance for Ben Simmons, the 1st overall pick in the 2016 draft, as he claims to have returned to full health. If Simmons can function as an elite playmaker and find consistency in his scoring, this team has the potential to exceed expectations significantly. However, at present, the pieces may not yet be in place, and it might take a few more years for Mikal Bridges and this Nets team to reach their full potential.
9. INDIANA PACERS
Offseason Acquisitions: Obi Toppin, Bruce Brown
X-Factor: Benedict Mathurin; Head Coach: Rick Carlisle
The Indiana Pacers are yet another team in the Eastern Conference boasting a talented young roster and a promising future. What sets the Pacers apart from other teams striving to avoid the lottery is the remarkable rise of Tyrese Haliburton, who has established himself as an all-star point guard with the potential for superstardom. Tyrese Haliburton, who arrived after a trade from the Kings in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, made his debut for the Pacers last year and promptly earned an all-star selection, surpassing several elite guards in the competitive Eastern Conference. He maintained impressive averages of 20.7 points and 10.4 assists, narrowly missing out on being the assist leader for the 2022-23 season.
The weapons around Haliburton include center Myles Turner, who averaged a career high in points, rebounds, and 3-point percentage, while blocking over 2 shots a game last season. Bennedict Mathurin, 2nd year guard out of Arizona, showed his elite scoring ability in his rookie season averaging 17 points off the bench. He will look to fill a bigger role this season, likely in the starting lineup.
The supporting cast is also robust, featuring the likes of Buddy Hield, Aaron Nesmith, and top-10 pick of this year's draft, Jarace Walker. Additionally, the new additions of Obi Toppin and Bruce Brown enhance the team's depth. While this team still has a journey ahead to contend with the East's top-tier teams, it would not be unreasonable to predict that the Pacers could secure a spot in the play-in tournament and earn a place in the playoffs for the upcoming season.
8. ATLANTA HAWKS
Offseason Acquisitions: Wesley Matthews
X-Factor: Deandre Hunter; Head Coach: Quin Snyder
The Atlanta Hawks secured the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference last season. Unfortunately, there aren't many signs of a significant improvement this year, primarily because their only offseason addition was the declining Wesley Matthews. While the star backcourt combination of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray shows promise and flashes of potential dominance, this hasn't translated into substantial success, evident from their win percentage and regular season standings.
Nevertheless, the supporting cast has some strong pieces to complement Trae Young. Saddiq Bey, a recent addition to the roster, has proven to be a dependable defender and scorer with room to further develop. Clint Capela continues to be a reliable center, consistently delivering solid defensive numbers, including an impressive 11 rebounds per game and 1.2 blocks per game last season. De’Andre Hunter, starting as the small forward this year, has the opportunity to excel in his role, but his journey to becoming a sought-after and reliable role player remains uncertain. While he improved his scoring last season, averaging 15 points per game, there hasn't been much progress in other aspects of Hunter's game, despite the significant minutes he's received.
De’Andre Hunter stands as a crucial X-factor for this team. If he can increase his scoring and contribute more comprehensively, there's a chance that the Hawks could surpass expectations. However, it's important to recognize that the team will need more than just a modest increase in Hunter's scoring to be considered a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. While the potential exists, it has yet to be fully realized.
7. TORONTO RAPTORS
Offseason Acquisitions: Dennis Schroeder, Jalen McDaniels, Gradey Dick
X-Factor: Scottie Barnes; Head Coach: Darko Rajakovic
Given Toronto’s disappointing finish to last season, being eliminated in a home play-in game, it was a bit confusing to see them make minimal moves this offseason. They lost their starting point guard, Fred Vanvleet, to Houston, and replaced him with Dennis Schroder. Aside from that, their biggest move came in the draft lottery, selecting Gradey Dick from Kansas. In his one-and-done year in college, Gradey shot 40% from 3, while attempting over 5 a game. He adds shooting to the big 3 up North in Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and OG Anunoby. Siakam led the league in minutes played per game and earned his second all-star appearance, and he’ll need to duplicate those results if the Raptors want to make the playoffs. Barnes, 22, is an athletic young talent who can facilitate the offense and be scrappy on defense. As time goes on, he will only get better, and his third season in the NBA could be a big one. OG is one of the most coveted players in the league because of his ability to guard positions 1-4 while being a viable scoring option on offense. While we predict Toronto to make the playoffs, they are still a star-level player away from being considered championship contenders. This could’ve been a good offseason to use Anunoby as a trade piece, with players like Damian Lillard and James Harden on the market. Nonetheless, GM Masai Ujiri proved he believes sticking with his players will suit the franchise's long-term interests.
Toronto’s supporting cast will need to contribute to Toronto’s deficiencies from last season. The team placed in the bottom 3 of the league for both 3-pointers made per game and 3-point percentage. Gary Trent, the shooting guard from Duke, and Gradey Dick must be snipers from deep. Even guys with smaller roles like Oregon alumni, Chris Boucher, who shoots a third of his shots from behind the arc, needs to be more efficient. The Raptors were last in defensive rebounds. Jakob Poeltl and his backup, Precious Achiuwa, need to be rim protectors and stop opponents from getting second-chance points. We’ll see if Toronto led by new head coach, Darko Rajaković, has anything special in store for us this season.
6. MIAMI HEAT
Offseason Acquisitions: Thomas Bryant, Josh Richardson, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
X-Factor: Tyler Herro; Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra
The Miami Heat became the second team in NBA history to reach the finals as the 8th seed cementing Jimmy Butler as one of the best players in the league, especially come playoff time. Despite achieving this accomplishment without starting guard Tyler Herro who broke his hand in the first game of the playoffs, it seemed like the Heat knew they needed one more star to get them over the finish line and win the championship. Conveniently, Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, and the only team he wanted to play for was Miami. The Heat seemingly had the ball in their court as Dame’s agent said he’d refuse to play for any other team. The Heat didn’t re-sign Max Struss or Gabe Vincent, 2 crucial pieces to their finals run in hopes of freeing up money for Dame. However, the Blazers rejected Miami’s offers and Dame was eventually traded to the Bucks, leaving Miami in an awkward position. Pat Riley stood firm, and he believes this roster is good enough to compete again in the 2023-24 season.
All-Star big man, Bam Adebayo averaged 20 points and nine rebounds last season and will need to continue the dominance he displayed in the playoffs for the Heat to have a successful season. A likely motivated Tyler Herro should have an impressive year after being rumored in trade talks all summer. The Heat also drafted Jaime Jaquez Jr, with the 18th overall pick from UCLA, and signed Thomas Bryant. Unfortunately, it’s going to take another MJ-esc playoff performance from Butler for Miami to contend this year.
5. NEW YORK KNICKS
Offseason Acquisitions: Donte DiVincenzo
X-Factor: RJ Barrett; Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau
Since acquiring Jalen Brunson from the Mavericks prior to the 2023-2024 season, the Knicks have emerged as a formidable force in the Eastern Conference, displaying no indications of a slowdown. The Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson partnership has proven highly entertaining, with Randle delivering arguably his best season to date, boasting averages of 25 points and 10 rebounds in the previous year. In parallel, Jalen Brunson has unquestionably experienced his most remarkable season, registering an impressive 24-point average, marking an eight-point surge from his prior peak performance. This development should not come as a shock, given his newfound starting role with the Knicks, in stark contrast to his time with the Mavericks, where he often played in the shadow of Luka Doncic.
In the previous season, the Knicks secured the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. Notably, their only offseason acquisition was Donte DiVincenzo, which suggests that the team has chosen to maintain roster continuity, albeit with some player departures from New York like Obi Toppin and Derrick Rose.
Beyond the aforementioned players, other key contributors include Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Mitchell Robinson, and RJ Barrett, who aims to transcend the mediocrity that has characterized his NBA career thus far. All things considered, the Knicks loom as a formidable presence in the Eastern Conference, poised to surprise many in their quest for a championship.
4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Offseason Acquisitions: Max Strus, Georges Niang, Damian Jones, Tristan Thompson
X-Factor: Evan Mobley; Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a relatively tame offseason continuing to build around their promising young core. Although they had an embarrassing first-round exit to the Knicks last season, the Cavs first season with Donovan Mitchell showed glimpses of how successful they’ll be in the future. The real question is, how long will it take for this group to fully develop and figure things out? Mitchell made an immediate impact averaging 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in his first season with the team. His backcourt mate, Darius Garland, averaged 21 points and 8 assists, proving to be one of the best guard duos in the league. Evan Mobley had a decent sophomore season averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds, however come playoff time he only averaged 9 points.
Evan Mobley wasn’t the only player who struggled for the Cavs come playoff time. Their defensive anchor Jarrett Allen proved to be unreliable when the team needed him most. During the playoffs, he averaged 6 fewer points and 3 fewer rebounds than he did in the regular season, getting shut down by Mitchell Robinson. The Cavaliers decided to get Allen some help this offseason signing Damian Jones and Tristan Thompson providing a little bit of depth to their bench. Their most important signing of the offseason for the Cavs was the addition of Max Struss. While they have Isaac Okoro and Caris Levert, the wing position was the weakest part of their roster so adding Struss gives Cleveland a better chance at contending this season.
3. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Offseason Acquisitions: Kelly Oubre Jr., Patrick Beverly, Mo Bamba, Danny Green
X-Factor: Tyrese Maxey; Head Coach: Nick Nurse
While the 76ers are debuting a new “City of Brotherly Love” jersey this season, there has ironically been a lot of hate publicly displayed between superstar guard James Harden and General Manager Daryl Morey, leaving a huge question mark for what the Sixers are going to look like this season. Harden has made it very clear that he would like to get traded from the team, but Morey has not accommodated his request. Harden showed up to training camp, but now has left the team and there are no signs of him returning for the start of the season. However, the Sixers do have reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who will easily be able to handle a bigger load in Harden’s absence. The real question mark for Embiid is how he is going to perform in the playoffs because he has never made it past the second round.
Tyrese Maxey is another rising star who is looking for more responsibility at point guard. Maxey averaged 20 points in just his 3rd season so with full reigns he could have a breakout year. The Sixers have one of the deepest benches in the league after acquiring Kelly Oubre, Patrick Beverly, Danny Green, and Mo Bamba to pair with De’Anthony Melton and Paul Reed. Sixers also have defensive-minded power forward PJ Tucker returning for his second season in Philidelphia and two-way player Tobias Harris to help Philly contend for a championship. While the James Harden saga causes a lot of question marks and chemistry issues, Philadelphia still has a great team that will be led by a new coach --- Nick Nurse. Nurse led the Toronto Raptors to a championship in 2019 and hopes to bring that championship mentality to Philadelphia with a fresh start for the 56-year-old head coach.
2. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Offseason Acquisitions: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
X-Factor: Khris Middleton; Head Coach: Adrian Griffin
The Bucks were involved in the biggest move of this offseason, trading for 7x all-star, Damian Lillard, ending his 11-year run in Portland. ‘Dame Time’ will team up with 2x MVP and DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo, creating what is arguably the best duo in the NBA. With this amount of superstar talent, the Bucks are going all in on the title this year. Anything short of winning should be considered a disappointment. Lillard and Giannis are a perfect fit, and their pick-and-roll game will be the hardest offensive set to defend in the league. Giannis’ interior abilities on both sides of the court, combined the Lillard’s limitless range will make their opponents give up hope.
There are in fact more than 2 players on the Bucks roster. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez will have massive roles in the starting lineups and need their presence to be felt on offense and defense. Middleton saw the biggest decrease in points per game of his career last season and shot the ball at a career-low field goal percentage. He needs to be a viable third scoring option for this Bucks team to get to another Finals. Lopez on the other hand, averaged a career high in blocks, and averaged his most points per game since 2017. The Bucks bench depth is running a bit thin, but with impactful contributions from role players like 6th man candidate, Bobby Portis, or even Marjon Beauchamp, 2022 first-round pick, they will be tough to beat.
1. BOSTON CELTICS
Offseason Acquisitions: Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Oshae Brissett
X Factor: Kristaps Porzingis; Head Coach: Joe Mazzula
The Boston Celtics have emerged as the leading contenders for the NBA title this season, a sentiment widely echoed by NBA enthusiasts worldwide. While the Celtics were already strong championship contenders in previous years, the recent acquisitions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have elevated this team to a level of threat unparalleled in recent history. It's essential to note that this transformation involved the departure of Marcus Smart, who was a key figure. Jrue Holiday not only replicates Smart's defensive tenacity but takes it to a higher level. Furthermore, Holiday's capability to pose a three-point threat at any moment adds a dynamic dimension to the team. Given his star teammates, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Jrue is expected to prioritize playmaking and defense before scoring.
Jayson Tatum, who posted remarkable numbers last season with an average of 30 points and 9 rebounds per game, aims to further elevate his performance. While surpassing the 30-point mark may not be the primary objective, there is a collective expectation that he will continue refining his game and introducing new facets, particularly considering he is only 25 years old. Jaylen Brown complements this duo effectively, being 26 years old with significant room for improvement. Scoring 26 points alongside a 30-point-per-game scorer is already a notable achievement.
The Milwaukee Bucks may have inadvertently weakened their own position with the Lillard trade, as it made their primary competitor in the East match their acquisition by dealing for a point guard of their own and becoming the most formidable team in the league. However, this trade came at a substantial cost for Boston, including parting ways with the reigning 6th Man of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, and the promising defensive player Robert Williams, in addition to losing Grant Williams to free agency. Despite these losses, when considering the overall gains, each party in the trade found value, with Boston emerging as the title favorite as a result.