San Antonio Spurs — Zero Star Power
By design, the Spurs have molded one of the least interesting rosters in recent basketball history. Dejounte Murray – the team’s lone All-Star from a year ago – is gone to Atlanta. They decided to stand pat during free agency, and will be mostly bringing back the same team as last year plus their new draft picks. It’s clear the Spurs want to have a chance at landing the No. 1 pick. By doing so they now don’t have a single player who would be the best player on any other team in the league. That is a statement you could not say about the Spurs since at least 1989 when David Robinson made his debut.
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Houston Rockets — Backcourt Redundancy
Having picked in the top-3 over the last two years, the Rockets believe they have set their future up by drafting Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green. When you have a dynamic duo like that, the challenge becomes surrounding your two stars with complementary players. Alperen Sengun fits the bill as a skilled center who can dominate down low. Players like Tari Eason also make sense as a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions.
Green’s backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. is a more interesting case. The former Cleveland first-round pick is obviously a talented player, though his skill-set does run a bit similar to Green. The Rockets may need to either split the minutes between their two guards, or perhaps even move on from Porter Jr. entirely for Green to fully flourish.
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Utah Jazz — Everything
The rebuild is in full-swing in Utah, and head decision maker Danny Ainge could not be happier. Unfortunately, that means Utah will be putting out a rather lousy on-court product in ’23. The Jazz aren’t used to being in this spot. It was expected they would bottom out after Gordon Hayward departed to Boston in 2017, but a young Donovan Mitchell had other plans. Even in down seasons, the Jazz maintain a certain level of competence which keeps them afloat. This year, Utah will be among the worst teams in the league. Four of their starters from last year’s lone playoff series are gone, with Mike Conley Jr. the only one remaining. This team is bad…at literally everything.
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Indiana Pacers — Looming Trades
There is a strong case to be made for Indiana being by far the worst team in the Eastern Conference. As of now, the Pacers appear to be the only squad out East that is unlikely to compete for even a play-in spot. It would be in their best interest to go all-in and ship off every last tradeable asset they have. That includes Buddy Hield and Myles Turner who have been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers for several months. Trading away those two players would ensure the Pacers have one of the league’s worst records, and it would also open up playing time for other young players on the team like rookie Ben Mathurin, former Celtics lottery pick Aaron Nesmith and 2021 first-rounder Isaiah Jackson. That begs the question, why haven’t the Pacers made the deal yet?
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Oklahoma City Thunder — Might Try Too Hard
As opposed to teams like the Trail Blazers who seem aimless in their direction, the Thunder have made it clear what their plan has always been: stockpile picks and lose as many games as possible. It worked out by being awarded the No. 2 pick in this past draft, though we’ll have to wait another year for Chet Holmgren to make his NBA debut. For now, the Thunder would almost certainly appreciate another top pick to add to their young core.
However, this team is a bit more talented than the other bottom-feeders. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a legitimate All-Star candidate and Josh Giddey will only get better. Not to mention, OKC’s rookie class isn’t just Holmgren as fellow first-round picks Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, and Jaylin Williams could all be difference-makers in Year 1. Don’t be surprised to see Gilgeous-Alexander or any other top players land on the reserve list to preserve as many losses as possible.
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Detroit Pistons — Shooting
The Pistons did well in the draft. Having Jaden Ivey slip to the fifth pick was a coup, and the team was reportedly enamored with their other lottery pick — center Jalen Duren. Though, neither particularly address the Pistons’ biggest issue — outside shooting. This team finished 29th in three-point percentage and 26th in threes made last season. And, their best high-volume shooter from a year ago, Jerami Grant, is now in Portland. Bojan Bogdanovic will help, but he’s also 33 and coming off his worst season from beyond the arc since ’17. Ivey and Cade Cunningham need some shooters in that lineup, and the Pistons simply do not have enough right now.
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Orlando Magic — Guards
No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero and first-team All-Rookie selection Franz Wagner are cornerstones to Orlando’s rebuild. It remains to be seen if anybody else on the current roster is in it for the long haul. That includes last year’s No. 5 pick Jalen Suggs who was dreadful for a majority of his rookie campaign. Markelle Fultz remains a question mark despite showing flashes, and Cole Anthony is likely best suited for a bench role. With the way the league is played today, guards are more important than ever. Orlando likely has the weakest group of guards in the entire Eastern Conference. That kind of disadvantage is difficult to overcome.
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Washington Wizards — Health of Stars
For the Wizards to crack into the playoff picture, they will need a clean bill of health from Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. Surprisingly enough, Porzingis was the healthier of the two last season. The former Knick played in 51 games last year — 17 with Washington following his trade from the Mavericks. Beal missed over half the season, suiting up for just 40 games and putting up some of his worst per-game averages and efficiency marks in years. The rest of the roster is pretty barren, but a healthy Beal and Porzingis should be enough to secure a play-in spot.
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Charlotte Hornets — No Help for LaMelo Ball
Typically it’s the third-year where we see players take a significant leap. That lines up for LaMelo Ball to have a huge season in Charlotte. The 21-year-old guard improved in all facets of the game last year, and is already one of the top playmakers in basketball. The question is: Will he get any help from his teammates? His No. 2 option, Miles Bridges, will not be with the team next year while his despicable domestic violence chargers are figured out. The remainder of the roster is one of the weakest in basketball. Gordon Hayward can be a quality contributor, but cannot be trusted to play even half of the season. The Hornets could find themselves as a “seller” at the trade deadline.
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Sacramento Kings — Management
Believe it or not, the Kings are in a position to make their first playoff appearance since 2006. With De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis at the helm, Sacramento’s front office has crafted a worthy roster filled with talented players. That being said, the only thing standing in the Kings’ way are the team’s decision makers. Over and over again, this team has shot itself in the foot with boneheaded mistakes. Trading a potential star in Tyrese Haliburton for Sabonis accelerated the Kings’ timeline while doing little for their chances as a legitimate contender. It’s moves like that which makes us wonder about the direction of this organization as a whole.
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New York Knicks — Battling Expectations
Even coming off a disappointing year, the Knicks enter ’23 with a bit of hope. It’s clear that R.J. Barrett is a good two-way player who will enjoy a lengthy career in the league. Jalen Brunson was the team’s big free agent signing, and should provide stability at the point guard spot. It seems like Tom Thibodeau trusted his young players more down the stretch of last season, meaning we could see more minutes for Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes. Anything the Knicks can get out of Julius Randle is an additional bonus.
That being said, it does seem like the hype surrounding the Knicks is beginning to build. Brunson is a good player, but Knicks fans may be expecting the 26-year-old to blossom into an All-Star now that he’s out of Luka Doncic’s shadow. Reports indicated that the Knicks were unwilling to part with Barrett in a potential Donovan Mitchell trade. If Mitchell starts off strong in Cleveland, and Barrett sputters, the Knicks faithful could begin to turn on their young wing. This is a pivotal year for this group, and the pressure to succeed will be glaringly apparent.
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Portland Trail Blazers — Lack of Direction
What exactly are the Blazers hoping to accomplish this year? That’s the big question in Portland, as the team doesn’t have the look of a contender but will likely be too good to compete for the No. 1 pick. Damian Lillard’s return alone will keep them in the playoff hunt, but adding Jerami Grant makes them a near-lock for at least the play-in tournament. This is a team that shamelessly tanked the end of last season, and drafted another guard (Shaedon Sharpe) with the No. 7 overall pick after handing Anfernee Simons a $100 million deal. They traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington — two good players — for virtually nothing. None of what Portland has done the last several months has followed a pattern. It seems like they’re just throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks. That doesn’t bode well for success down the road.
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Los Angeles Lakers — Versatile Wings
This Lakers squad looks to be doomed with the same issues which plagued last year’s club — a dearth of perimeter defense and outside shooting. Outside of the top two stars, the Lakers have built around small guards and traditional big men. The only players who don’t fit either trope are unproven — Troy Brown Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Wenyen Gabriel. They lack the necessary size on the perimeter to defend the best teams, and they don’t have nearly enough shooting to supplement a LeBron-led offense. Looking at the roster construction, it becomes more and more puzzling how Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was awarded an extension this offseason…
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Chicago Bulls — Lonzo Ball
Former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball was beginning to come into his own as a member of the Bulls. In his first year with the team, Ball exhibited the perfect two-way ability to complement Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan. He had formed an excellent defensive duo with former Laker Alex Caruso. Ball was limited to just 35 games before his season ended with a knee injury. In those contests, the Bulls went 22-13. In games without Ball, the Bulls were 24-23. It’s clear that Ball is a vital part to this team, but it’s unclear how much longer he’ll be out. He currently has no timetable for a return, which is a brutal blow to Chicago’s chance of competing this coming season.
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Atlanta Hawks — Frontcourt
Adding Dejounte Murray should do wonders for Trae Young’s development. The pair complement each other quite well, and it should make for one of the more exciting backcourt combinations in the league. Elsewhere on the floor, the Hawks do have to answer some questions as it pertains to their frontcourt. John Collins has been the topic of trade rumors for several years, though those have quieted a bit following the massive extension he signed prior to last season. Clint Capela is set to make $18 million this year as the team’s starting center, though some believe 21-year-old Onyeka Okongwu is more deserving of a starting spot. Plus, the Hawks did lose a bit of depth with the losses of Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari (plus not bringing back Kevin Knox after trading Cameron Reddish for him). Will the frontcourt be able to compete with the rest of the East?
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Toronto Raptors — No Go-To Scorer
The Raptors value defense, length, and versatility. This team is filled with excellent two-way players that any team in the league would want. However, when the playoffs begin and defenses ramp up, how will this club find their buckets? Toronto made a Finals run in 2019 thanks to having the deepest roster in the league — but the real x-factor was the fact that Kawhi Leonard could get any shot he wanted at any time. There’s nobody on this Raptors team that truly stands out as a No. 1 scoring option. Perhaps Barnes emerges as that player, or Siakam takes the next step. But, as of now, the Raptors fall a bit behind the pack in the Eastern Conference due to the lack of an elite scorer.
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New Orleans Pelicans — Point Guard
With Zion Williamson back, the Pelicans have the look of a team that could certainly contend for a top seed out West. The Pels came on strong to end last year, and certainly saw an uptick in play following the acquisition of C.J. McCollum. Looking at a projected starting lineup, we could see coach Willie Green deploy a lineup consisting of Williamson, McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, and Herbert Jones. Perhaps this is by design, but that lineup does not contain a traditional point guard.
The Zion-CJ-Ingram trio would likely split ball handling duties, but a “point guard by committee” approach isn’t something that has been used to great effect in the past. Perhaps rookie Dyson Daniels eventually takes that role, but that would mean benching a true center in Valanciunas or the team’s best defender in Jones.
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Brooklyn Nets — Volatility
The Nets have the most possible outcomes of any team this season. If all things break right, they could win a title. If a few things go haywire, we might see this team be active at the trade deadline and attempt a full rebuild. Also, any result in between either of those scenarios seems perfectly plausible, as well. That’s the range Brooklyn subjected themselves to when deciding to employ some of the most volatile players in the NBA. While Kevin Durant is a bit more stable, there’s really no telling what the team will get out of Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons this year. For the latter two, literally just playing in real-life NBA games would be a massive result for Brooklyn. But, as we know, that isn’t always a given with either Irving or Simmons.
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Minnesota Timberwolves — Perimeter Defense
Eyebrows were raised when news broke that the Timberwolves refused to include wing Jaden McDaniels in all discussions for the Rudy Gobert trade. Looking at the roster now, it makes complete sense why they didn’t want to deal McDaniels. This Minnesota team is completely bereft of any perimeter defenders. Utah’s primary issue with Gobert-led defenses wasn’t that the French big man was incapable of defending on the perimeter — it was that everybody else on the team was incapable of defending on the perimeter.
That might not change much in Minnesota with D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards on the outside. Teams will relentlessly attack Russell, Edwards and Towns in any action, forcing Gobert to clean up the mess. While the T’Wolves will likely be fantastic on the offensive end, it’s their defense that will define the season.
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Cleveland Cavaliers — 5th Starter
It’s been an excellent couple of years for the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland were home run picks who figure to be on the team for quite sometime. Pairing Mobley with center Jarrett Allen gives the Cavaliers their big man duo of the future. In the offseason, Cleveland traded for Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell to pair in the backcourt alongside Garland. Garland-Mitchell-Mobley-Allen is a potent quartet, but now comes the question of who will be the fifth starter to join the group.
Isaac Okoro is an early favorite, but Cedi Osman could also stake a claim. Either way, the fifth starter on this Cleveland team will be the biggest weakness in an otherwise strong lineup. Minimizing that weakness could be the difference in a top-4 seed or a spot in the play-in tournament.
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Dallas Mavericks — Living Up to Last Year
Dallas overachieved quite a bit last season. Few gave the Mavs a chance to upend the No. 1 seed Suns in their second-round battle. It capped off a stunning turnaround for a Mavs team that was playing .500 ball all the way through January. Now that Dallas made it to the Western Conference Finals, fans and media will expect them to return to that point. Easier said than done. Losing Jalen Brunson was a massive hit. Brunson played very well alongside Luka Doncic, and served as a secondary playmaker throughout the year. Dallas went out and added big man Christian Wood to stretch the floor, but the former Rocket has never played for a contending team. Expecting Dallas to just pick up where it left off last year seems like a stretch, as its season could ultimately end before the WCF in ’23.
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Denver Nuggets — Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
How Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. return from their respective injuries will ultimately determine Denver’s fate this season. With both stars gone last year, Nikola Jokic emerged as arguably the best offensive player in all of basketball. Jokic engineered the sixth-best offense in basketball with his other top scorers being Will Barton, Monte Morris, and Jeff Green. Now, he gets to pass to Murray and Porter Jr., which should theoretically be a recipe for success.
Of course, it’s no guarantee either of those players return to the level they were playing at before. The knock on Porter Jr. has always been health, and Murray has been more injured than you’d think (missed 119 games over last three years). This trio gives the Nuggets a chance to make a title run, barring the other two being able to complement the back-to-back MVP.
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Miami Heat — Age
The Heat have done an extraordinary job of uncovering hidden gems. Whether it’s through the draft (Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo) or undrafted free agency (Max Strus, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent), Miami has done a fine job of retooling through whichever means is available to them. However, this team will go as far as its two aging stars can take them. And, those stars are not exactly spring chickens. Jimmy Butler is 33 years old and seems to be battling injuries every year. Kyle Lowry is heading into Year 16 and is older than every starting point guard in the league not named Chris Paul. Younger players are certainly favored in today’s up-and-down league. The team gave up a ton to acquire Lowry a season ago, might it have been a mistake to trust the aging vet?
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Memphis Grizzlies — Jaren Jackson Jr.
The unfortunate news of Jaren Jackson Jr. suffering yet another injury which will delay the start of his ’23 campaign is troubling for the Grizzlies. Though Memphis boasts a deep roster capable of staying afloat without one of its stars, Jackson Jr. is a pivotal cog who unlocks the full potential of this club. The rangy 23-year-old is undoubtedly the most important piece defensively on this team having averaged 2.3 BPG in the regular season last year. The inability to stay on the floor is beginning to become a theme for JJJ who missed 100 regular season games over his first three seasons. We may not seem him again until January, will that be enough time for him to ramp up and get ready for the playoff push?
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Philadelphia 76ers — James Harden
The only thing standing in Philadelphia’s way from a deep postseason run is James Harden. Though Harden is widely considered to be one of the top players in the league, his playoff resume leaves a lot to be desired. The former league MVP has routinely come up short on the biggest stage. The 76ers loaded up this offseason with the additions of P.J. Tucker and De’Anthony Melton. Joel Embiid has proven he can stay healthy. Now, it’s up to Harden to prove he can deliver in a big game.
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Phoenix Suns — Overcoming Turmoil
Erasing the memories of that embarrassing Game 7 defeat will be the ultimate goal for the Phoenix Suns this season. Phoenix went into the postseason as a heavy favorite to come out of the Western Conference, only to lose in convincing fashion to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. The result of that game seemed to be a strained relationship between coach Monty Williams and big man Deandre Ayton. The pair reportedly did not speak at all during the offseason.
Chris Paul has maintained his status as one of the top point guards in the league, but he’s 37 years old and seems to break down towards the end of each year. Now, nominal starter Jae Crowder recently requested a trade which will make an already thin roster even thinner. Not to mention, the eventual sale of the team by disgraced owner Robert Sarver looms large. This team is in flux and it remains to be seen if they’ll be able to navigate their way out of it in order to make a run at an NBA title.
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Los Angeles Clippers — Health
Health permitted, the Clippers boast arguably the best roster in all of basketball. The team is loaded with premiere wings with the ability to utilize up to 11 or 12 players. It’s going to be difficult for guys like Luke Kennard and Terrence Mann to receive consistent minutes if everybody is playing. That being said, the true ceiling for this team lies in the health of its two stars. We haven’t seen Kawhi Leonard since the 2021 playoffs, and he’s played just 178 out of a possible 390 regular season games over the last five years. George missed 50 games last year and hasn’t logged at least 60 games in a season since 2019. This team is a title contender with Leonard and George, but the duo must prove they can stay on the court when it matters most.
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Milwaukee Bucks — Depth
It seems like every year the Bucks are getting thinner and thinner at the end of their bench. Outside of Milwaukee’s star trio, the rest of the team is filled with aging veterans with checkered injury histories and unproven players. Brook Lopez was limited to just 13 games last year. Wes Matthews and George Hill are both 36 years old. Joe Ingles is 35 and coming off an ACL tear. Serge Ibaka hasn’t been able to stay on the floor in years. Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton are one-dimensional. It’s a bit too early to expect draft pick MarJon Beauchamp to contribute any meaningful minutes.
The team is probably expecting some sort of jump from pressure specialist Jevon Carter and swingman Jordan Nwora, but this roster is thin and we already saw last year how an injury to just one of the three stars can derail a Finals run.
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Boston Celtics — Ime Udoka
With the additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari following an NBA Finals run, the Celtics had emerged as the odds-on favorite to make it out of the Eastern Conference again this upcoming season. Though, they’ll now have to navigate through the rigors of the NBA season without their star coach Ime Udoka. The 45-year-old first-year coach was suspended for the upcoming season following news that he had engaged in an improper relationship with a team staff member. Udoka shined in his first year on the sideline, and his presence will be sorely missed.
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Golden State Warriors — Draymond Green
Last year’s champs have all the makings of a team that could repeat in ’23. Klay Thompson will be another year removed from several surgeries, Stephen Curry has showed no signs of slowing down, and a young core consisting of Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and Moses Moody should take a leap. It appeared as if we were heading into another season with the Warriors leading the way as the heavy favorites.
And, then Draymond Green knocked out one of his teammates during a practice. Green has always been a bit of a wild card, but this particular incident is undoubtedly his lowest moment. Will the team be able to recover from video surfacing of Green striking breakout star Jordan Poole? Green has been Golden State’s emotional — and defensive — leader for years, but he certainly lost a ton of trust in that locker room. It remains to be seen if he can be a steady contributor to the team moving forward.
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