ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics
Holding a record 18 championships, the Celtics once again have more Larry O’Brien trophies than anyone else in the association. You should always believe in how strong Boston is. Now, it’s time for them to tie the Lakers in In-Season Tournaments if the NBA wants the Emirates Cup to be basketball’s equivalent of the Premier League’s FA Cup.
They should have some extra motivation after a stifling summer. Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was snubbed from the Team USA roster that won Olympic gold in Paris, although it was in favor of his talented teammate Derrick White. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum kept the bench as warm as his shooting touch. So what? Al Horford is still playing, and with a healthy Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday running the show, they won’t see Cancún.
Brooklyn Nets
No Kevin Durant, James Harden, or Kyrie Irving? No problem. The Nets still have Ben Simmons. You can expect him to log as much time as fellow Atlantic Division superstar Jayson Tatum… in the Olympics, that is. Never mind, Cam Thomas is emerging as the next big star in this league now that all those arguing over a bucket have taken their wet jumpers to other watering holes.
Dennis Schröder leads a capable supporting cast with trade piece Bojan Bogdanović, but losing Mikal Bridges to the other side of the bridge really stings. What’s left is the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes next summer. The heat is on.
New York Knicks
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any fresher in the Big Apple, New York just acquired Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn, reuniting him with his Villanova teammates Josh Hart and point guard Jalen Brunson. Alongside trade deadline acquisition OG Anunoby and additional pick-up Cameron Payne, the Knicks have talent on their team like peanuts to an elephant. They even have a guy called Charlie Brown Jr., but shouldn’t he be playing baseball, sir?
And after all that, they’ve just traded Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns. Randle helped give them that golden-era ’90s heart, but he posted about his number 30 jersey being missing in the Knicks team store. He really did! Message sent and received? Now, with KAT, NYK are going all the way. Although the ‘Nova Knicks’ will miss Donte DiVincenzo, who is as New York as they come. Towns in the big city, though?! The battle with Boston for the beast of the East will show you your NBA champion.
Philadelphia 76ers
Basketball’s Phillies look to swing-big and head for home after a big move that Joel Embiid helped process with a glance on Inside The NBA. Side eye it all you like, but the former MVP, alongside Paul George (which now feels like a trade for James Harden), AND the future of the game in Tyrese Maxey is a super max team. Moses and the good Doctor. Allen Iverson and his heart. This is another classic combination, like cheese and steak.
Processing a better team than even Ernie, Kenny, Shaq, and Chuck, the Sixers also boast Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Eric Gordon across the board. They have better veterans than the one who saved your cat. Philadelphia has the brotherhood; now it’s time for the love. There are no more excuses for the process.
Toronto Raptors
Ever since Kawhi Leonard’s shot against the Sixers clawed its way into the basket, it’s been up, down and around the rim for the Raptors. After Leonard left, more big names like Pascal and OG did before they could be Raptor OG’s like the country cousins of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Yet you know Canada still believes in its champions. Especially now fellow Canuck Kelly Olynyk has joined Maple Mamba RJ Barrett. The future of club and country.
Someone get Dillon Brooks on the phone, because only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could make the Raptors roar even more. In the park’s pack, we also have soaring star Scottie Barnes and healthy additions like champion Bruce Brown added to the mix, not to mention the best jersey swap in Gradey Dick. Grade this one on a curve that could shoot straight to the rafters again.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Bulls
Gone with the wind, on the offensive end, we say goodbye to DeMar DeRozan. On defense, Alex Caruso is also gone. And who knows what’s going on with either Zach LaVine or Lonzo Ball? Drafting Matas Buzelis from the G-League will ignite the charging Bulls, while Josh Giddey can score in a stampede.
Former Jazzmen Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Talen Horton-Tucker offer noteworthy hope, similar to the emergence of Coby White. However, Chi-town has lost as much as their Sky-Town neighbor in the WNBA. Candace was a champion only a few summers ago. If only Chicago could be as reliable as Nikola Vucevic. Forget ‘The Last Dance’; these Bulls are left asking if they can even have the next one.
Cleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND! The future is yours! Spida-man Donovan Mitchell is one of the league’s best swordsmen. Alongside the big trio of Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland, The Land is rich like watered soil. Who needs LeBron James when even Canadian Tristan Thompson is back in the mix?
Shooting his shot on Instagram, ‘Winter Soldier’ lookalike Max Strus may even give TT a run for his money. Alongside players like Caris LeVert, Emoni Bates, and reliable glue guys like Marcus Morris Sr., the Cavs have more depth than those sliding into former ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran’s DMs. Who knows, we may get more than one ring this year.
Detroit Pistons
Top-five draft pick Ron Holland joins the assembly line of young talent in Detroit, heading towards the future. Cade Cunningham leads the way with Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey. When these guys get it together, it’s going to be scary. There’s no need to tank when your core grows and becomes stronger as one.
The rest of the roster is rounding into experienced shape thanks to the addition of players like Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Who knows? Motown could now hit like the greatest hits of Marvin. The Pistons are refueled, and they’re coming for the beasts of the East just like Isaiah Stewart did with the King.
Indiana Pacers
After hosting last year’s NBA All-Star showcase, Indiana is keeping pace with their own rising star in the form of Tyrese Haliburton, pointing towards the future of the franchise and the league his team now competes in. Add Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner, and a full season from Pascal Siakam, things could get exciting for Rick Carlisle’s unit.
It’s going to take a little more for Indy to inspire the city beyond having top pick in the WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark, who’s already breaking records and creating a buzz in the W for Indiana’s “other” basketball franchise. Let alone for them to win a championship or be at the top of their conference.
But they’re trending in the right direction. Not since the time of Reggie Miller have the Pacers had their grip tighter around the competition’s throat.
Milwaukee Bucks
Bucking them down, that sole championship season is becoming more distant for Milwaukee, similar to the one back in the day with Oscar and Kareem. Don’t worry, darlings. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains as dynamic as ever, like Adina Howard. Damian Lillard has plenty of time left. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis continue to compete for the third-man position.
Danilo Gallinari, Gary Trent Jr., and Taurean Prince are great additions to a championship core that includes Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and Jae Crowder. Not to mention, there’s another Antetokounmpo. Remember, there’s no losing in sports. But what’s up, Doc? Cream City’s river needs to rise to the top of the crop once again.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks
John Wall and Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, even Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson—all the best backcourts in the basketball association have broken up. The latest backcourt casualty is Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. At least “Ice Trae” remains in the veins of the A.
Meet the 2024 Atlanta Hawks. Following the Wemby era, with the first pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, ATL selects Zaccharie Risacher from France after the Paris games.
Although this raw teenager didn’t suit up in the Olympics, welcome to Atlanta, Zacch. The players who play for the team include Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter, Cody Zeller, and Larry Nance Jr. It’s going to take some time for these Hawks to soar like Nance, but the future looks awfully peachy.
Charlotte Hornets
Also from France, sixth pick Tidjane Salaün could be the man to make the Hive of the Hornets buzz with honey again. LaMelo Ball is the best of a big-balling family, while Miles Bridges is seeking redemption. Charlotte is caught between getting stung and savoring the sweet stuff.
These former Bobcats have experienced the league from all angles, vicariously through the New Orleans Pelicans during their time in Oklahoma City before the Thunder. They’ve already assumed another team’s identity, like a hardwood classic throwback. Now, they can create their own.
Signing Grant Williams, Taj Gibson and the shot of Seth Curry helps. And the likes of Cody Martin and Brandon Miller can make it happen. The new ‘Melo won’t rest until the ball goes through the twine after time expires, and their name is in the win column. Then the highlight reel that is his passing game will get an assist from the accolades made.
Miami Heat
Will Butler do it? Can you imagine Jimmy testing the free agency waters next summer? Surely, he won’t give Miami the cold shoulder. Memories of almost bursting the Lakers’ bubble as he brought the heat in Florida still ring true. Under the sun next to Olympian Bam Adebayo and super sub Tyler Herro, the Heat are still too hot to handle, from legend Kevin Love to the rising star of the future, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Terry Rozier III highlights a supporting cast that features Duncan Robinson, Thomas Bryant, and Alec Burks. Erik Spoelstra remains one of the most underrated coaches in league history, even though the great Pat Riley handed the reins to him. Bolstered by a coaching staff full of former Heat players, like Caron Butler and Malik Allen, the culture runs deep.
Orlando Magic
Despite the heat that Miami brings, the Florida franchise to watch may belong in the Magic’s kingdom. At least the coastal rivalry is back in full force. It hasn’t been this potent since Penny and the pinstripes. Out of the hat comes superstar Paolo Banchero and the Wagner brothers, if Jadakiss does say so himself, ‘that’s a wonderful three.
Canadian Cory Joseph on his journeyman era, the hops of Jonathan Isaac, and Jalen Suggs slugging it out. Orlando has depth with players like Cole Anthony. But from a former Rookie of the Year and gold medalist to Olympic starters Moritz and Franz, there’s more Magic in the sleight of hand that took Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from Denver.
If you thought the Lakers losing him was bad, then watch this: KCP is about to usher in the championship mentality that could help this former Disney team level up. He can show them the world.
Washington Wizards
Evan Fournier turned down a chance to play in the NBA and opted for the EuroLeague instead because he didn’t want to play for a “losing team.” Awkward. He might not have been interested in “mentoring,” but he could have really helped his fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr, who was drafted second after Zaccharie Risacher this summer and Victor Wembanyama last year. Où est l’amour?
If you’re off to see the Wizards this season, you can witness something wonderful in DC: the ever-underrated Kyle Kuzma and the potential of Jordan Poole. New running mates Malcolm Brogdon, Jonas Valanciunas, and Saddiq Bey have our vote, but the District of Columbia is a mall’s length away from the playoff picture. That is one thing that is not up for debate.
