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!
CHICAGO BULLS
G: Josh Giddey / Tre Jones
G: Coby White
G: Ayo Dosunmu / Kevin Huerter
F: Matas Buzelis / Patrick Williams / Noa Essengue
C: Nikola Vucevic / Jalen Smith
Penny Stock Investment: Isaac Okoro
X-Factor: Matas Buzelis
6MOY: Jalen Smith
MVP: Josh Giddey
Overview
Simply put there is not a ton that excites me in Chicago. The Bulls are bound to be stuck in play-in purgatory forever it seems. Matas Buzelis is an exciting young player but outside of that there is nothing that should get the casual fan tuning into many Chicago games. Noa Essengue is a player that I valued highly in this past draft, but he is a raw prospect and I am not sure how much run he will get. Time will tell if the Bulls finally decide it is time to reset and make some deadline deals.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
G: Darius Garland
G: Donovan Mitchell / Sam Merrill
G: Lonzo Ball / De'Andre Hunter / Max Strus*
F: Evan Mobley / Dean Wade
C: Jarrett Allen / Larry Nance Jr.
Penny Stock Investment(s): Norchad Omier, Nae'Qwan Tomlin
X-Factor: Lonzo Ball
6MOY: De'Andre Hunter
MVP: Donovan Mitchell
Overview
If this is not the year for the Cavaliers then I expect them to blow up the "core 4" they have. Mitchell is coming off a 1st Team All-NBA season, Mobley established himself as an All-Star level player, and they have good role players surrounding them. Hunter was a 6MOY candidate last year and I figure he should be in that consideration again, if he is not a starter. I think the addition of Lonzo Ball is very underrated. He adds defensive versatility and gives them another ball handler to alleviate some pressure from Garland and Spida. Barring injuries, there is no reason that the Cavs should fail to make the Finals.
DETROIT PISTONS
G: Cade Cunningham / Marcus Sasser
G: Jaden Ivey / Caris LeVert
F: Ausar Thompson / Duncan Robinson
F: Tobias Harris / Ron Holland II
C: Jalen Duren / Isaiah Stewart
Penny Stock Investment: Daniss Jenkins
X-Factor: Jaden Ivey
6MOY: Isaiah Stewart
MVP: Cade Cunningham
Overview
The Pistons jumped from "young, up and coming" team to playoff contenders last season. They will look to add to last seasons success this year, coming off their first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season. Cade Cunningham announced himself as one of the league's best players and this year will try to jump into true superstar status. Jaden Ivey is coming off injury and I think he is the swing player for Detroit. If he comes back and is productive, he provides the Pistons with another player who can create their own shot, put pressure on defense, and most importantly take some playmaking responsibility off of Cunningham's shoulders. Detroit is still a young team and hope to continue to see development from players like Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland. They will not make youth an excuse though. They have the talent to have home court advantage in the post season.
INDIANA PACERS
G: Andrew Nembhard / TJ McConnell
G: Bennedict Mathurin / Ben Sheppard
F: Aaron Nesmith
F: Pascal Siakam / Obi Toppin / Jarace Walker
C: Isaiah Jackson / Jay Huff
Penny Stock Investment: Kam Jones
X-Factor: Bennedict Mathurin
6MOY: Obi Toppin
MVP: Pascal Siakam
Overview
The Haliburton injury was devastating for many reasons. For almost any organization, losing your franchise player is reason to scrap the season, but I am not so sure that is the case for the Indiana Pacers. They have enough depth and have a team identity that I think can lead to regular season success. Siakam is an all-star and many people predict both Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin to compete for the Most Improved Player award. They do lack some big man depth but I can see them running lots of small ball with Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, and Pascal Siakam playing some minutes at the 5. While a repeat Finals appearance is highly unlikely, do not be surprised if the Pacers still finish as a top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
G: Kevin Porter Jr / Cole Anthony
G: Gary Trent Jr / Ryan Rollins / Gary Harris
F: Kyle Kuzma / Taurean Prince
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Myles Turner / Bobby Portis
Penny Stock Investment: Amir Coffey
X-Factor: Kyle Kuzma
6MOY: Bobby Portis
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Overview
The Bucks lack talent across the board. It will take a Herculean effort from Giannis to bring postseason success to Milwaukee. Luckily for the Bucks, Giannis is good enough to do this. The talent outside of Giannis is not one that inspires much excitement. They have some players who are good role players, but will have too much responsibility on this roster. I do not see the Bucks being someone that other teams truly consider a threat to win a championship. Giannis is my pick to win MVP and I think he can drag this team to a good regular season, but eventually they will fall short when it matters the most.
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