NBA SEASON PREVIEW

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

SEASON PREVIEW:

I wanted to do a comprehensive off-season guide, but there was so much chaotic movement, the task was too tedious for me to complete. That being said, I was simultaneously working on this article, and ended up devoting more time to completing this.

This guide is not really a grade, but more of an analysis of each team. Was their off-season successful, did they complete what they needed to, was their needle moved? All of these will be addressed in this article.

ATLANTA HAWKS:

The Hawks sort of ran things back. They spent the off-season resting their veteran players like Bogdan and Danilo, and extended their young players in Collins and Trae. For the most part, their rotation won't change considerably. They added a secondary ball handler in Delon Wright, drafted guys for the future in Cooper and Johnson, and added a veteran big man in Gorgei Dieng. I think their floor remains as a 6-seed, with top-3 potential in the East.

BOSTON CELTICS:

The Celtics continue to tread water. It feels like they were on such a strong trajectory, they were hitting on all of their picks, they had veteran presence, they kept getting elite point guards, and now I really don't know where they go from here. They seems like a younger version of the Clippers, but as proven over the last two season, isn't necessarily a winning formula. Robert Williams will get his chance to prove himself as a starter, Al Horford was brought back into the mix, and they brought in Josh Richardson to bolster their defense. They are another team in the East with a top 3/4 upside, but their floor is a play-in team until proven otherwise.

BROOKLYN NETS:

I think the Kyrie situation will resolve itself. Either he will get the shot, or as the curve flattens in NY, restrictions might allow him to play. The Nets got two very strong prospects that are unlikely to play heavy minutes, but this bodes well should their veterans need rest or get injured. They have significant question marks in their front court, but Aldridge has been cleared to play, Griffin has found a nice role in Brooklyn, and Claxton will look to take a leap this season. They have a top 1/2 upside, and their floor is likely still a top 4 team, regardless of the Kyrie situation.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS:

They might have one of the widest ranges of predictions. Their floor is obviously a lottery team, but the quick development of LaMelo Ball has definitely accelerated this team's playoffs changes. Melo and Terry had excellent rapport as a backcourt duo, Hayward is one of the most versatile wings in the league, and they brought in a veteran presence in Plumlee for the front court. In small ball line-ups, they will start Washington at center, and Plumlee for the more physical centers. Kai Jones is unlikely to be a factor, but Bouknight could play a major role with Hayward oft-injured. Their ceiling is a 4-6 seed range.

CHICAGO BULLS:

Their team is completely different, but I'm not so sure this will mean they got significantly better. We saw a small sample of the Bulls with Vucevic in the line-up last year, and they went 11-15. Yes, they added Lonzo and DeMar, but neither of them were major factors in winning on their teams last year. Both of these players could take the ball out of the hand of LaVine, so it will be interesting to see how they eventually mesh. Lonzo has emerged as a surprisingly efficient 3-point shooter and Caruso is a hustle defender. There is a lot to like, but even still, I'm not sold on them overall. I think their upside is a play-in team or fringe playoff team, and I think their floor is a high lottery team.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS:

I think their team is still going to be really bad, but I think their fans will be happy with the steps they took this off-season. I think Allen is going to be a solid defensive anchor for this team and I think he will mesh better with Mobley than people expect. Sexton put up fringe All-Star numbers last year, Garland has a nice jump, and Markkenen should be sufficient to fill the void left by Nance. They have a healthy Windler, healthy Okoro, and healthy Valentine, so if they can add another piece via Kevin Love trade, they could end up clawing into the play-in team. Their floor is probably still top 5 odds in the lottery.

DALLAS MAVERICKS:

Their off-season was addition by subtraction. They moved on from Josh Richardson and added two more shooters in Bullock and Brown. The defense added was via Frank Ntilikina and Moses Brown, but both are back of rotation guys at best, emergency bench at worst. They will be a dominant offense all year, giving them top 4 upside in the West, with their floor being a 6/7 seed at worst. They enter the season as one of the healthier teams, have an MVP candidate, a healthy Kristaps, and Powell at full strength. There is a lot to get excited about with this team.

DENVER NUGGETS:

Jamal Murray being out most, if not all, of this season will definitely hurt their chances for a title. Even without him, I still think they have top 5 upside in the West. Jokic will look to go back-to-back in the MVP race, Gordon will have developed a more passing role with question marks at the point guard, Barton appears to be healthy going into the season, and Michael Porter Jr will look to put up All-Star level production. Guys like Jeff Green and Austin Rivers definitely helps their bench, so even without Murray, their team is still pretty deep. Bones Hyland is unlikely to see a major role, but if Monte Morris struggles, he might see expanded minutes.

DETROIT PISTONS:

They will not win a lot of games, but will definitely be a popular team to watch on League Pass. Cade Cunningham is one of the most hyped prospects we have seen in a while. "Motor Cade" will look to hopefully bring the Pistons to relevance again, much in the same way that Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball have to their respected franchises. Killian Hayes will try to bounce back from a disappointing rookie campaign, and Isaiah Stewart, who excelled in his rookie year, will look to continue his development. This team still has a bottom 3 floor, but if Bey and Grant can replicate their production from last year and their young guys can step up, they could be in play-in conversations.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS:

Even without Klay and Wiseman for a couple of months, I think they're still a playoff lock. They still have the best point guard in the league in Steph Curry, Wiggins was a surprising two-way wing for them last year, and Draymond Green looked healthy in the playoffs. They have added some solid vets in Otto Porter and Nemanja Bjelica, both of which fit the system well, and brought back their rock, Andre Iguodala. Jordan Poole has been incredible in the pre-season, so hopefully he can keep this team in the win column until their team is at full healthy. They drafted two very strong rookies this season, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them consolidate talent and get a sour veteran to push them into contention. I think their floor is the play-in, but could very well be a top 5 team.

HOUSTON ROCKETS:

While a lot of the same comments from my Detroit take apply here, I think Rockets might actually be further along than many expect. John Wall is likely to be moved and I think they will moderately improve due to him still having slight value. Eric Gordon is another candidate to get moved, that should reap either more young talent or draft picks. Jalen Green is betting odds for ROTY, Kevin Porter could end up being a MIP candidate, and Christian Wood shined when healthy last year. Sengun was as good as advertised in Summer League and Preseason, and their team will be fun to watch, even in the many many games they will likely lose. Their floor is a bottom 3 team, but they could be a surprise to flirt with play-in position. They are probably two years away from being a playoff team at the earliest.

INDIANA PACERS:

It will be interesting to see if this team as constructed can win with new coaching. They took a major step back last year, but should see Warren back at some point in the first half of the season, Brogdon appears healthy, Turner is ready to start the season, and Sabonis has ascended into perennial All-Star status. The assets are all there, but they will need the healthy of LeVert and/or Warren to make it over the hump. Chris Duarte should be an excellent add as a bench sharp shooter and they will look to flip Lamb for an upgrade at wing at some point. This team has a pretty low floor, entering the lottery once again, but they could end up a top 5 team in the East with so much volatility. The continuity of this team should help, but with injuries so rife on this team, it will be interesting to see how they navigate those waters.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS:

With Kawhi likely to miss the entire season, this team does not drastically excite me this year. Paul George will look to reassert himself as a top player in the league, but outside of that, this team seems very weak. Bledsoe for Beverley isn't a significant upgrade, Reggie Jackson isn't a strong defender, Terance Mann was boom or bust when starting, Keon Johnson and Brandon Boston are probably a year or two away from being major contributors, and Ibaka is entering the season at less the full health. This team really needed to do what the Lakers did and get a third guy, but it may be difficult with the roster as constructed. Their upside is still probably a top 6 team in the league, but their floor is a play-in team. They are a Paul George injury away from being a lottery team.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS:

Honestly, this was the best trade they could have done. I don't think LA adding Buddy Hield would have made as much of an impact as having Westbrook on their team. Westbrook actually wants to play there and the Wizards were dominating toward the end of last season, primarily because of him. Having a pit bull type player like Westbrook will allow Davis and LeBron to get the necessary rest to stay fresh for the playoffs. They extended Talon Horton-Tucker and brought in a slew of ring chasers - Howard, Bazemore, Monk, Ellington, and Jordan to round out their bench. Of the teams to get discount free agents, the Lakers obviously did the best. Betting odds have them a top 3 lock, and their floor is incredibly high at probably a top 4/5 team.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES:

My take on the Grizzlies is very similar to the Hornets. They are similarly constructed, but likely a season behind the Hornets. Grizzlies have a lot of two-way players, added an elite rim defender that will allow JJJ to spread the floor, has one of the biggest draft day surprises in Ziaire Williams, and will look to have Melton and Bane take the next jump. Their team has a bunch of young players, so their ceiling is play-in tournament and their floor is low lottery odds. The Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Timberwolves are all in the same boat and the gritty Grizzlies will be the one that I think emerges as the top team out of these three.

MIAMI HEAT:

Miami I could see having a bounce back year. They struggled early on and ended up coming together late into the season. I think Lowry being added to the team will allow Herro and Butler to play more off the ball. PJ Tucker was a major contributor for their biggest Eastern rival in Milwaukee, but he is a small role at this stage in his career. Bam Adebayo is probably their biggest X-Factor. He has expanded his game into a reliable passing big and having a competent ball handler, could help him improve his numbers even more. Bam likely has another gear defensively as well, so I think they are a top 3/4 upside team, with a top 6 floor. I don't see a scenario where they have to play their way into the playoffs.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS:

They are likely going to run their way back into a deep playoff run. Giannis is arguably a top 2 player in the league right now, Middleton ascended to another level in the playoffs, and their team is a solid balance of youth and veterans. Chemistry plays a major factor and all of their guys are signed into long-term deals. Their team will be a top 3 lock and are probably neck and neck with Brooklyn to be the #1 seed for betting odds. Their floor is a top 4 team, as this team has found ways to win even when Giannis was hurt.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES:

It's sort of balling that a team with so much talent can continue to lose year after year. D-Lo has been inconsistent since his breakout season. KAT beefed up to either boost his trade value or push them to a playoff run. Their team will rely heavily on their role players stepping up. Malik Beasley projects to improve with his drama behind him, Anthony Edwards has allegedly grown two inches and is ready for his sophomore bump, Jaden McDaniels will be fighting for a starting spot, and Patrick Beverley adds some grit to a team not seen since Jimmy Butler. I'm not super bullish on them, having them as a play-in upside team and a mid-lottery floor. They seem ready to either blow up the team or go all-in - they've been wavering for a while.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:

Honestly, I think they took a step back. They did good in the sense that they moved on from guys that didn't make sense on their roster in Bledsoe and Adams, they opened up roster space to let young guys get more minutes like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, and rookie Trey Murphy, and they added a floor spacing big in Jonas Valanciunas. That being said, Devonte' Graham is a significant drop-off from Lonzo Ball. The used a first round pick on Kira Lewis, only to bury him behind Graham and Satoransky. All of this is going on while Zion has expressed his displeasure with the roster. If Pelicans make the playoffs, it will be purely the will of Zion (who is currently hurt), but their floor is another shot at the lottery.

NEW YORK KNICKS:

Boy did they luck out. Their biggest need last year was point guard, and they locked down an All-Star point guard on a significant discount in Kemba Walker. Even if he is not in their long-term plans, just the value of his contract is outstanding. They got a solid two-guard in Quentin Grimes in the draft, a veteran wing in Evan Fournier, and hopeful progress of guys like Toppin, Robinson, and Knox to help them make it over the hump. Their largest X-Factor is RJ Barrett. He showed a lot of promise last year and is now entering his after improving in every statistical category and could see a Jaylon Brown level jump in his third season. Their upside is a top 4/5 team in the East and their floor is a play-in team.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER:

Houston and OKC will be competing for their chance to snag Chet Holgrem, who would be an excellent fit with either team. The Thunder are in a weird position, because on one hand, they have an All-Star caliber guard in Shai Gilegous-Alexander. They brought in a veteran center in Derrick Favors to mentor guys like Pokusevski, Roby, and Bazley. However, they are loaded with draft picks, young players, and have almost a position-less roster. They drafted a Swiss Army knife in Josh Giddey, have committed to wings Kenrich Williams and Lu Dort, and were a fringe playoff team before shutting down SGA last year. They remind me of last year's Memphis team, where their upside could be a play-in team, but their floor is incredibly low, as Sam Presti has never disliked a trade involving more draft picks. They might make a record for the most starting line-ups in a season.

ORLANDO MAGIC:

This has probably been one of the worst rebuilds I've seen in a while. It's quite obvious that they are blatantly trying to tank. Their team is rife with guards, all of which appear at least a year or two from being productive. They have two centers in Wendell Carter Jr and Mo Bamba that have failed to stay healthy or play at a very high level since their high draft picks in 2018. They have Gary Harris for no reason, added Robin Lopez to warm the bench, and kept Terrance Ross. Harris and Ross are likely trade candidates, Wagner might not crack the roster this year, and Isaac and Okeke are both major injury risks. Their ceiling is a bottom 5 team and their floor is top 2/3 overall odds in the lottery.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS:

I'm not super concerned with the 76ers. Even without Simmons, they should still be a lock in the playoffs. In a best case scenario, Simmons rejoins the team, they mesh well, he works on his shooting, and they probably are a top 3 team. Worst case scenario, they trade him, get several players to increase their depth, and add pieces that fit better around Joel Embiid. Either way, I think they will be highly productive. The X-Factor for this team will be Andre Drummond. He is the major piece they didn't have last year. Drummond is still a young center, a double-double threat on a nightly basis, an underrated passer and defender, and can be an immediate plug on nights where they rest Embiid. Their floor is probably a top 6 team.

PHOENIX SUNS:

I'm pretty bullish on the Suns. Chris Paul will be the primary facilitator once again, but it's really in the hands of Booker, who is entering his prime, and Ayton, who is in a contract year, to really bring this team to the promised land. Jae Crowder will be their primary glue guy, Bridges will be their elite wing defender, and they are hoping to get solid production from Jalen Smith, Landry Shamet, and newly added JaVale McGee. Their upside remains a top 3 team in the West and I think their floor is a top 6 team. They are well balanced, have strong leadership, and excellent coaching - all these translate to a successful team.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS:

Portland is probably my #1 prediction to blow things up this season. If they come out of the gates to a slow start, it would not surprise me to see them move their back court. They have the right pieces to have a quick rebuild, several smaller contracts that could allow them to get additional picks, and a few already rostered young players they could keep in a worst case scenario. Should they come out of the gates strong, I do like the addition of Larry Nance, who gives them an option to have a big line-up with Powell coming off the bench. Nurkic is hopefully healthy and producing like he did a couple of years ago. Simons will hopefully continue to get better and Snell was one of the best three point shooters last year. I think their ceiling is maybe a top 6 team in the West and their floor is a mid lottery team, even lower if they blow it up.

SACRAMENTO KINGS:

This team desperately needs to blow things up. Outside of Fox, Haliburton, and probably Mitchell, pretty much everybody is available. Barnes is a probably trade, Hield is a probable trade, and probably Bagley could find himself on the block. It would not surprise me if they make their untouchable players available for the fight star if they can consolidate. The middling teams got good in the West and the bad teams remain bad. This puts the Kings in a bad spot where they need to make significant trades in one direction or the other. The floor on this team is a high probability lottery team and their ceiling is possibly fringe play-in, but the stars would need to align.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS:

The Spurs have finally committed to a rebuild. They have moved on from DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay and have gone all-in on the youth movement. Lonnie Walker, Devin Vessell, and Keldon Johnson will all look to reach the next stage of their careers. Josh Primo is an interesting prospect but will probably spend most of the season in the G-League. Jakob Poeltl has quietly become one of the most reliable defensive big men in the league. They brought in a bunch of high percentage shooters, all of which will be easily tradeable for more prospects down the line. As long as Pop is coaching, their upside is still a play-in team, but realistically, they will be a bottom 5 team in the West.

TORONTO RAPTORS:

The Raptors are another team that is difficult to predict. My gut tells me they will still be a top 5/6 team in the East. The East is incredibly volatile, but VanVleet and Siakam are All-Stars, they drafted another high upside defensive guy in Scottie Barnes, who has legit playmaking capabilities, but his spotty outside shot will likely keep him out of the starting line-up once Siakam returns. Their young centers are all interesting prospects and Dragic will be a useful guard if they decide to keep him on the roster the entire year. I'm more bullish on them than I probably should be, but they could end up being in a similar position to the Blazers.

UTAH JAZZ:

My issue with the Jazz is they are a great regular season team, but they haven't adjusted their roster enough to really make themselves in a position any better than they were the last couple of years in the playoffs. Jared Butler will be a solid starting point guard of the future for them, but for now, they have an aging Mike Conley. Gobert has peaked and his game is locked in. Ingles and Bogdan hare peaked in their production. Clarkson has shown his upside and he is most comfortable as a sixth man. The X-Factor for this team will be Donovan Mitchell. This is his team and he will be the one responsible for finding a way to get this team over the hump. As constructed, they still have top 3 upside in the West and top 6 floor, but my concerns with them lie in the playoffs.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS:

If your goal was to construct a team to force the hand of Bradley Beal to request a trade, they might have finally done it. We thought it would happen last year when they acquired Russell Westbrook, then they start winning, so they decide to flip him for a point guard that missed an entire year due to injury, poor fit guys for the Lakers in Harrell and Kuzma, and are now starting Chicago's third string center from last year. Maybe they build chemistry and play really well, but I have their ceiling as a play-in team, and their floor a middle lottery team.

-Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]