THE NBA SEASON TIPS-OFF IN JUST ONE WEEK! Basketball is right around the corner, which means it is a perfect time to give my personal breakdown of each team. We are going to go division by division highlighting my expectations for each roster. I included what I expect to be the starting lineup for each team whenever they get to full strength. I am using my own thoughts on roster construction, reported lineups, and preseason starting fives to curate my predictions. Along with the starting 5 I have included the 5 bench players that I think will play and produce the most for each team. Included is also who I think is the most important player for each team, as well as players who I can see producing more than we expect at this point of preseason. As always I would love to hear your thoughts on each team and certain players you are excited to watch! Please comment below what you are excited to watch for in the upcoming NBA season!
BOSTON CELTICS
G: Payton Pritchard / Anfernee Simons
G: Derrick White
F: Jaylen Brown / Jordan Walsh
F: Sam Hauser / Josh Minott
C: Neemias Queta / Chris Boucher / Luka Garza
Penny Stock Investment: Amari Williams
X-Factor: Anfernee Simons
6MOY: Anfernee Simons
MVP: Jaylen Brown
Overview
This is certainly a gap year for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum has reportedly progressed with his injury rehab at an extraordinarily fast rate, even so, I do not expect the Celtics to rush him back. Even if they exceed expectations I do not think they would put Tatum back on the court for the playoffs. We have seen the effects rushing back from an Achilles injury can have on players. Instead I expect the Celtics to embrace the bridge season and get a high draft pick in a loaded 2026 draft class. They still have core pieces such as Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, who will see their usage increase and possibly have career years. Jaylen Brown will have to play at an All-NBA level to have the Celtics be competitive. The Celtics might have enough to compete for the play-in seeds in a weak Eastern Conference but overall their lack of depth and front court pieces will be too much to overcome for them to win much more than 40 games.
BROOKLYN NETS
G: Egor Demin / Kobe Bufkin
G: Cam Thomas
F: Terrance Mann / Ziaire Williams / Jalen Wilson
F: Michael Porter Jr / Noah Clowney
C: Nic Claxton / Day'Ron Sharpe
Penny Stock Investment: Nolan Traore
X-Factor: Egor Demin
6MOY: Day'Ron Sharpe
MVP: Michael Porter Jr.
Overview
This is a team competing for a top pick. They had a notably "controversial" draft and have a log jam of young players on the roster. They have four first round picks Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf who might not see the floor consistently. They had the off-season drama surrounding Cam Thomas and added Michael Porter Jr via trade. I am a huge fan of Jordi Fernandez and think he is the guy to eventually rebuild this franchise. The Nets are going to lose a lot of games. I think they know this and are ok with that. This season is all about developing young players, most importantly the 8th overall pick, Egor Demin. Demin is the guy they identified as fitting the role of playmaker/future cornerstone in this past draft. Sean Marks and Jordi Fernandez' strategy is clear, fast paced offense with plenty of playmakers. Demin certainly has the potential to fill this role and if his Summer League shooting was not just a fluke, they might have a real piece to build with.
NEW YORK KNICKS
G: Jalen Brunson / Miles McBride / Malcolm Brogdon
G: Mikal Bridges / Jordan Clarkson
F: OG Anunoby
F: Karl-Anthony Towns / Josh Hart / Guerschon Yabusele
C: Mitchell Robinson
Penny Stock Investment: Tyler Kolek
X-Factor: Miles McBride
6MOY: Josh Hart
MVP: Jalen Brunson
Overview
The mindset in New York is Conference Finals or bust, if not Finals or bust. Anything less than a Conference Finals appearance, in this weak Eastern Conference, would be considered a massive failure. The Knicks return the same starting 5 that was just one win away from a Finals appearance this past May, and brought in veteran bench pieces and a new head coach to try and get over the hump. The Knicks lack of depth definitely was a weak spot this past season and they addressed that in the offseason, bringing in quality role players in Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, Malcolm Brogdon. They also will hope to see some progression out of second year players Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek. I expect the Knick to be amongst the contenders of the NBA this season and I would be disappointed if they fail to deliver.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
G: Tyrese Maxey
G: Quentin Grimes / Jared McCain / Eric Gordon
G: VJ Edgecombe / Kelly Oubre Jr
F: Paul George
C: Joel Embiid / Adem Bona / Andre Drummond
Penny Stock Investment: Jabari Walker
X-Factor: Health of Joel Embiid
6MOY: Jared McCain
MVP: Tyrese Maxey
Overview
One of the teams I am most intrigued by is Philadelphia. Following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, the variance of expectations may be amongst the highest in the league for me. I would not be surprised if the 76ers are selecting in the lottery again. I would also not be surprised if the 76ers are competing for an NBA title. It all hangs on the health of Joel Embiid. Reports are not super optimistic that Embiid will ever return to full strength but even 75% of Embiid is enough to help Philadelphia compete. Embiid simply won't play enough in the regular season to be in All-NBA consideration, meaning Tyrese Maxey and Paul George need to play at an All-Star level. George struggled in his first year as a 76er but he is still a quality player. Maxey is a productive player but has yet proven he can be a winning player as the #1 option. Jared McCain looks to build off what was a promising start to his rookie season before it was cut short due to injury. VJ Edgecombe was the third overall pick and I think is a fantastic complimentary piece to what the 76ers have built on roster. Quentin Grimes signed to a team friendly deal and is a really good NBA player. I like the depth the 76ers have built, especially around the margins. They signed Jabari Walker to a 2-Way Contract and Trendon Watford to a cheap two year deal. Both are good NBA players and the fact they managed to get both is an example of the smart moves they made this offseason. I think they have built a roster that can survive the regular season with limited Embiid minutes and postseason success truly just depends on Joel Embiid's health.
TORONTO RAPTORS
G: Immanuel Quickley / Jamal Shead
G: RJ Barrett / Ja'Kobe Walter
F: Brandon Ingram / Gradey Dick
F: Scottie Barnes / Collin Murray-Boyles
C: Jakob Poeltl / Sandro Mamukelashvili
Penny Stock Investment: Sandro Mamukelashvili
X-Factor: Brandon Ingram
6MOY: Gradey Dick
MVP: Brandon Ingram
Overview
A team that I am excited to monitor throughout the season is Toronto. They have a roster of intriguing players that seemingly don't mesh fantastically. Quickley is solid but overpaid, Barnes development has seemingly stalled offensively, Ingram and Barrett are both players who are most productive with the ball in their hands. The offensive spacing is questionable and three point shooting will be a big swing skill. I am intrigued to see which young wing/guard is the most productive between Dick and Walter. Collin Murray-Boyles has potential to be an elite defensive player and I am excited to watch his offensive growth. I think if everything meshes, Toronto can surprise people and win 45-50 games.
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