SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks
If Dallas fans had gotten what they wanted, and the Mavericks had fired executive Nico Harrison after the Luka Dončić trade, but before he took his cardboard box out of the office, Harrison left his plan for the next few months on his desk. Those same fans would be chanting “hire Nico” now. First things first, despite going down in his first game, Anthony Davis remains one of the best and most versatile bigs in the association. It wasn’t the worst deal ever, as some had envisioned. Especially after they won the first pick in this summer’s draft, using it for Duke’s poster boy and the biggest number one in years, Cooper Flagg.
Nico looks like a genius now, especially since Flagg can fly right away. Obviously, the health of AD is a major concern, and the Mavs also have to wait for superstar Kyrie Irving to return from an ACL injury. But when they’re healthy, that’s a big three. With buckets in reserve. They may have lost Spencer Dinwiddie, but they still have Klay Thompson and his WAJ (wet a** jumper). Also, Anthony Davis reunites with former Lakers teammate D’Angelo Russell off the bench, and another, Max Christie, offers more depth alongside P.J. Washington. Jason Kidd could lead his Maverick men on a parade down Victory Avenue sooner than you think.
Houston Rockets
If you thought Dallas drafting Cooper Flagg was the Texan deal of the Summer, then look what the Houston Rockets did going cosmic. They just picked up a Hall of Fame legend to be Kevin Durant, still at the peak of his powers and prowess in getting buckets. Yet, they gave up Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore and so much more to get him. It’s a good job Ime Udoka’s team has more under the hood of the Toyota Center, whose 18,104 seats will always be down this season.
Alperen Sengun is practically a 20 and 10 player, right now (19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game), ready to go against Orlando’s Franz Wagner as the most underrated international big since Domantas Sabonis finally got his recognition. Amen Thompson is primed to ball like his twin, and Fred VanVleet is still the champ he was in Canada. Jabari Smith Jr. is also joined by new additions like a reunited Clint Capela. Houston also acquired 3 and D expert Dorian Finney-Smith, practically days after Durant sort of dissed him on LeBron James and Steve Nash’s ‘Mind The Game’ podcast. But that shouldn’t be a problem for Houston.
Memphis Grizzlies
Losing Desmond Bane to the Magic Kingdom won’t be the bane of this Tennessee team’s life, but if Beale Street could talk, it would still say giving up on Dillon Brooks after he hounded the King was as bad a decision as Elvis Presley choosing Colonel Parker as his manager. The Grizz also say goodbye to fan favorite rookie Yuki Kawamura from Japan, veteran Luke Kennard, and the forgotten talent of Marvin Bagley III, but they still have their grit and grind. As potent as a Vancouver Grizzlies throwback jersey.
Memphis still rocks with Ja Morant as their exciting star who needs to stay healthy and control his shooting. We’re talking about on the floor, now his gun law troubles seem to be in his rearview, like the black mirror of the phone he keeps pocketed. Jaren Jackson Jr. is a Defensive Player of the Year, working on the other side of the court, and sophomore Zach Edey has the potential to be just as big, in more ways than one. Add the range of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, brought in for Bane, and the NBA DNA of Scotty Pippen Jr., and Memphis is still right there.
New Orleans Pelicans
Looking like he shared a summer workout routine with Luka Dončić, a slimmed-down Zion Williamson could make New Orleans the talk of the town. The young prodigy, no longer bigger than a pelican’s bill, needs to focus on the court and not his off-court troubles, like fellow Southwest, sixth-season star, Ja Morant (see above). If this happens, Willie Green can coach away the problems of losing Bruce Brown, CJ McCollum, and Canadian Kelly Olynyk, not to mention Brandon Ingram to Toronto at the last deadline.
Looking like he shared a Summer workout routine with Luka Dončić, a slimmed down Zion Williamson could make New Orleans the fat of the land. The young prodigy, no longer bigger than a pelican’s bill, needs to focus on the floor, and not his off-court trouble, like fellow Southwest, sixth season star, Ja Morant (see above). If this happens, Willie Green can coach away the problems of losing Bruce Brown, CJ McCollum and Canuck Kelly Olynk. Not to mention, Brandon Ingram to Toronto, at the last deadline.
NOLA adds an impressive Saddiq Bey, championship vet Kevon Looney, and the splashy scoring of Jordan Poole to the Mardi Gras party. Jordan, who is a far cry from the man he shares a name with, will work much better off the bench, instead of being Washington’s only hope like when MJ came out of retirement just shy of 40. The real standout for The Big Easy is the seventh pick of the summer draft. Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma fears none, just like his soon-to-be sold-out jersey says. The Pels are ready to give ’em hell.
San Antonio Spurs
How do you say goodbye to someone as great as Gregg Popovich? Simply put, you don’t. He’s right there with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and The Admiral, David Robinson, in Spurs lore—El Jefe. Now, it’s Mitch Johnson’s turn. And the future is bright under the lights of the AT&T Center. This is their chance to create their own Alamodome or Alamo out in the north star of the Texas triangle. Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk are hitching a wagon, following veteran point guard Chris Paul leaving town for a reunion with his old Californian home.
San An has the Rookie of the Year for the past two seasons on the hoops calendar. Reigning ROY Stephon Castle, looking to be king, and the tallest of them all, Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who is the future like his cameo in the latest season of ‘Futurama,’ where he fittingly played an alien. Let’s not forget, the Spurs also have their second coming of Dennis Rodman, without the drama, in third-year man Jeremy Sochan. Not to mention Harrison Barnes, a valuable vet and the oldest player on the squad, but still only 33 years of age. Oh, and San Antonio also drafted the second player after Dallas did, Cooper Flagg, taking Chicago champion Ron Harper’s son, Dylan. The times are a-changing.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Denver Nuggets
A couple of seasons removed from a championship, the Denver Nuggets needed to make some moves to stay in the hunt for gold. Who would have thought that firing a champion coach like Michael Malone was one of them? Former assistant David Adelman takes over the reins at Ball Arena, bringing not only sideline experience but also a head coaching pedigree as the son of legendary former Sacramento Kings leader, Rick Adelman. Nepotism need not apply. This former ABA team still has the most dominant player in the league, Nikola Jokić, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay in the Mile High City forever, even if he’d rather be riding his horses than playing ball.
The fact that Canadian clutch artist Jamal Murray is not an All-Star has already been a criminal offense for years. And Aaron Gordon, armed with buzzer-beating dunks, is one of the best examples of a star sacrificing for success. Trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson could prove more fruitful than it looks on paper. Just like letting go of wildcard Russell Westbrook, who still deserves a signing for his epic efforts. The reunion with Bruce Brown Jr. is what we’re all here for. Much like the contention additions of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valančiūnas, a Travis Kelce lookalike, who will make the frontcourt anything but a blank space, even when their Joker card is not on the table.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Answering the Philadelphia 76ers black jerseys from the Iverson era, the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the forests of the tree lined black unis, back when Kevin Garnett was ‘Da Kid’. But this is Ant-Man’s team now. And Anthony Edwards knows how to go giant, like a Pym Particle, when the post-season rolls around. He’s a marvel, but the Target Center has a target on its roof, instead of a helicopter pad, now those who play there have dethroned Kings and Jokers alike. It’s time to weather the storm of the Thunder, and Chris Finch’s team needs everything they’ve got on the wings.
Mostly standing pat, but cut down a little by losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the T-Wolves have little in the form of rooks and agents off the market. What they do have however, is a honed cohesiveness that is compelling to watch grow in the Twin cities. These young princes, who would be kings, already made a big deal of things, last year. Sending KAT to NYC for Julius Randle, who spaces the floor more. Next to the multiple DPOY’s of Rudy Gobert and the Sixth Man punch of Naz Reid, the frontcourt is a force. Isn’t that right, Donte DiVincenzo? Veteran Mike Conley can still get it done, but the real difference maker might just be Jaden McDaniels. An X-factor if you ever saw one running the break.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The champs are here. Young and now ‘chip certified and victorious in their experience. The current best player in the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, leads the way with a gorgeous game that represents the north even more than the Toronto Raptors. Nobody can draw fouls, or play like him. He’s a bucket…and one. Not to mention the triple crown of two MVPs (regular season and finals) and a scoring title (at an average of 32.7 a game). No need to add anyone to this band of brotherhood via free agency, although a couple of younger ones make their way to the family, via the draft.
The former Seattle team have accelerated their development at Supersonic speed. Just like Jalen Williams, whose 40 point game in the finals was his arrival in the big leagues. After missing time, Chet Holmgren came off the suit and pine to be big on the boards and the block. No wonder Josh Giddey, and his controversy, was shipped to the Windy City for the D and Bubble championship experience of Alex Caruso. Alongside ‘The Dorture Chamber’ of ‘The Great Barrier Thief’ Lu Dort, they take care of things on the defensive end. Isaiah Hartenstein, Aaron Wiggins and the other Jaylin Williams round things out for Mark Daigneault’s team, who could be the first to repeat since the Golden State of 2018.
Portland Trail Blazers
Coach and De-TROIT basketball legend Chauncey Billups has his Mr. Big Shot back. After lifting the NBA Cup with Milwaukee, and little else, the Bucks brought out an injured Damian Lillard, who left it all out on the floor, and then some, so they could pick up Indiana Pacers NBA finalist big man Myles Turner. Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty, as Kendrick Lamar once rapped. Dame Time was ripe for a RIP City reunion that has the PDX coming up roses, but the team must find a future if they want to get back to the west best days of ‘Jailblazers’ who could still lock it down.
Jerami Grant can’t do it on his own…or even like he used to. Meanwhile, former G-League star Scoot Henderson hasn’t ignited the league like he hoped…yet. If those two have career years, and Dame comes back in the nick of time, then Portland could blaze like John. Jrue Holiday offers even more experience (championship and Olympic) and Yang Hansen could be a real talent. Yet, losing Deandre Aytona and Anfernee Simons takes some of the height and youth out of the Moda Center building. A developing Toumani Camara and more focussed Robert Williams III should help that, though.
Utah Jazz
There have been few high notes for the Jazz since they traded away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert for a modest rebuild. Lauri Markkanen and the Delta Center faithful deserve a better hand after Utah cut off theirs, much like in Danny Boyle’s ‘127 Hours’, striving to survive. Now they’ve lost productive scorer Jordan Clarkson, versatile big man John Collins, and the guy they traded for Mitchell, Collin Sexton. However, Salt Lake City’s franchise in the Nevada desert has made some decent pickups with Kyle Anderson, Jusuf Nurkic, and George Niang.
A legend and a Cavalier champ, Kevin Love, is expected to join the Jazz training camp after rumors of a contract buyout circulated. He’s exactly the veteran voice this team, still trying to find its footing and a future through tanking, needs. Similar player Walker Kessler could up his talents with a little loving tutelage. Keyonte George could also hold the keys to the future of this franchise and the next note they take. The real ace in the hole, mind you, seems to be top-five pick Ace Bailey. Sure, like Steve Francis, being drafted to the colds of Vancouver, it looked like this Ace wanted nothing to do with a jazzy deal, but after a hot Summer League, Bailey may be the next one to hold all the cards.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors
The gold is still within a state of reach for the Warriors, who keep fighting, one battle after another. A newly jacked Steph Curry, still has the shot, and now he gets to ball with his brother, Seth, again. Draymond Green could go for tenth straight all defensive teams, but he needs to get that temper and those techs in order. Klay’s day is now a season gone, and Coach Kerr wants this San Francisco side back in the right state of mind. All so the Golden Gate team on the other end of the bridge can find their splash again.
Netting Al Horford from the Celtics to fill in for the big championship contributions of Kevon Looney was a good start, or end to the pre-training camp NBA flea market of free agents. But will this nation finally crown Jonathan Kuminga now that they’ve extended him at press time? You don’t need an old oracle in this Chase Center to see that this squad shouldn’t be squandered. Superstar Jimmy Butler needs to buy in, like the likes of Moses Moody and Gary Payton II have, and that fake beef with Buddy Hield better be motivating and not a sign of more Miami, Minnesota, and Philadelphia problems to come. The Warriors were the last team to go back-to-back (they also won in 2022), but they can’t repeat their old ways now.
L.A. Clippers
Just when the Clippers thought the days of drama were behind them and the subject of a Disney Plus series (‘Clipped’), a new scandal has emerged involving Steve Ballmer and superstar Kawhi Leonard, which could take everyone to the cleaners. Then, no one will be laughing, like Paul George, who has already left town for the cheesesteaks of Philly. Despite all this, the Clippers are still getting older, and Leonard’s health is about as questionable as this rumored endorsement deal that supposedly helped the Clippers’ salary cap land ‘The Klaw’.
If that wasn’t enough, Norm Powell, Ben Simmons (meh), and Patty Mills have left town, but Tyronn Lue and the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome welcome Bradley Beal, John Collins, and Los Angeles reunions with Brook Lopez and former Clipper star Chris Paul. Supporting a cast in Hollywood are Bogdan Bogdanovic and one of the last true centers, Ivica Zubac. L.A. is primed to win now, so long as they don’t have any more problems. Bradley Beal complements a compelling big three led by Leonard and a still at the top of his game James Harden (22.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 8.7 apg), but you know what happened in Arizona with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Los Angeles Lakers
Is it the LeBron Angeles Lakers? Or the Los Angeles Lukas? James and Doncic showed they could co-exist after last season’s blockbuster deal for the ages in La La Land, as The King urged The Don, dismissed by Dallas, to “fit the f*** out.” However, this summer, LeBron James remained cryptic about whether he’d be fitting in at Crypto.com Arena, where winning remains the currency for JJ Redick’s team, now run by the Dodgers cap-wearing Mark Walter, alongside Rob Pelinka and some Buss brass. But here we are, year 23 for number 23, looking forward to “a full year with Luka.”
On the floor, Luka Dončić forms a beautiful backcourt with the undrafted phenom Austin Reaves in a contract year. There’s more bucket support from Gabe Vincent and the lost art, midrange magic of Rui Hachimura. Pick-ups Jake LaRavia and a healthy Maxi Kleber add to that. Also, expect Bronny James to improve as a sophomore with some time in South Bay. But will sharpshooter Dalton Knecht remain the charismatic clutch player after all that deadline deal drama? Anthony Davis said he needed a big, and then HE got traded. Deandre Ayton fills that requirement in the middle (with Jaxson Hayes as a springboard off the bench) and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart helps too. Losing Dorian Finney-Smith was a bad casting call, though. Perhaps this all hinges on a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt.
Phoenix Suns
Rising again and again, the Phoenix Suns hope for an “ashy to classy” retooling like their Mercury sisters, currently on their way to the WNBA Finals, rather than a complete rebuild. Kevin Durant is one of the best ever, but he’s not Phoenix’s GOAT like Diana Taurasi. Now, with him gone, along with Bradley Beal to Tinseltown, and any hopes of a scripted big three, Devin Booker can finally be the man once more. Just how far he can raise Arizona before he’s saying “damn” again, like the last time he lost in the NBA Finals, remains to be seen.
Watch this space, because Phoenix got a haul for KD, despite also losing Tyus Jones, Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee, Monte Morris, Damion Lee, and fan favorite Bol Bol this offseason. Damn, isn’t that like half the roster? Jalen Green is a star for the future that Houston may regret trading for a superstar on the back end of 30. Dillon Brooks is also one of the best defensive agitators in the game, now that Patrick Beverley is sticking to podcasts. The biggest wildcard could be center Mark Williams. Never a Laker and now, no longer a Hornet. His numbers are more than solid, but his repeatedly rescinded health is as concerning as the coaching carousel swirling around the Suns.
Sacramento Kings
Beam me up, Sacto! We’re still riding with the Kings, who could take the throne in California, lighting it up on any given night. Coach Doug Christie, with a couple of former Kings on the bench like onetime Sixth Man super-sub Bobby Jackson, has his work cut out for him. But would you bet against the old defensive dynamo? Down the road at 500 David Stern Way (yep, that’s the name of the street), the Kings will join the commission as cowbells ring in the Golden 1 Center. But it might take a few years for a team that’s been in the picture, or on the frame, for the past two decades. And now explosive legend Russell Westbrook has joined the mix.
It’s no secret that Domantas Sabonis is a star, but will the Chicago reunion of Bulls’ brothers Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan yield a big three? Or little more than they breezed past in the Windy City? The dynamic depth of Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, and Keon Ellis is now joined by rookies Dylan Caldwell, Nique Clifford, and Maxime Raynaud. Not to mention FAs Drew Eubanks, Dario Saric, and Dennis Schröder, the latter being a EuroBasket MVP champ who has hopefully found his team after hitting the NBA rainbow. Another guard in a glut that can glow. The departure of Jonas Valančiūnas and Jake LaRavia, leaving for a Laker rival, isn’t great, but these Kings can be. Sacramento just needs to be more than a memento to the times they were almost kings in Cali.
